Gubernatorial candidates pitch to keep rest stops open

RICHMOND

Hours before state highway officials were to shutter 18 of Virginia's 42 rest areas early today, several political leaders made a last-ditch effort to prevent the planned closures.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell and his running mate, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, each made public pleas Monday to keep the facilities open.

The Virginia Department of Transportation this spring considered ceasing operations at many of its rest stops across the state as part of a larger cost-saving strategy to help offset a $2.6 billion revenue shortfall.

The agency later scaled back the proposal to 19 rest areas, which is expected to save the state about $9 million annually. Of those, 18 are to close today and one in September.

Bolling said, "The closure of these rest stops will eliminate safe, convenient opportunities for motorists to rest," resulting in more dangerous highway conditions.

South Hampton Roads doesn't host any rest centers, so the region wouldn't be directly affected by the move, which has drawn objections from AAA Mid-Atlantic and long-haul truckers, among others.

McDonnell said an "Adopt a Safety Rest Stop" program should be created immediately to engage business and civic groups as sponsors to keep rest stops functional in the coming months.

He also called on highway officials to find a less expensive way to keep the rest centers open and urged state legislators to devise a funding solution when they convene early next year.

"If the administration doesn't find a way to reopen them by the time I'm elected governor, I'll have them reopened within 90 days," McDonnell pledged.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine last week appealed to Congress to exempt Virginia from a federal law prohibiting the state from privatizing its rest areas, as states such as Maryland have.

That request died in a federal subcommittee.

Although McDonnell and his Democratic opponent, Creigh Deeds, don't always share similar ideas, they are of one mind when it comes to rest stops.

"I've already talked to the governor and several members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board about this area and expressed my frustration about the decision," Deeds said. He said he thinks a resolution can be reached sooner than 90 days into the next governor's term, though probably not before the legislature reconvenes in January.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com