You’re gonna have to hold it!
VDOT recently released a list of 18 rest stops that will be closing due to budget cuts. Closings will be effective July 21st. From the press release: “These are hard decisions for us to make,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “It is difficult to cut back on these popular motorists’ services, but we must […]
VDOT recently released a list of 18 rest stops that will be closing due to budget cuts. Closings will be effective July 21st.
From the press release:
“These are hard decisions for us to make,” said VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern. “It is difficult to cut back on these popular motorists’ services, but we must prioritize our limited funding to emergency response and maintaining our roads and bridges. We have worked with the trucking, tourism and commuter communities to ensure that those impacted are aware of the impending changes and to address adverse impacts wherever possible.”
Here’s a complete list of the stops being shut down:
Interstate 95
- I-95 North Ladysmith (Mile 107)
- I-95 South Ladysmith (Mile 107)
- I-95 North Dale City (cars) (Mile 155)
- I-95 South Dale City (cars) (Mile 155)
Interstate 64
- I-64 East Goochland (Mile 169)
- I-64 West Goochland (Mile 168)
Interstate 81
- I-81 North Rural Retreat (Mile 61)
- I-81 South Smyth (Mile 53)
- I-81 North Radford (Mile 108)
- I-81 South Troutville (Mile 158)
- I-81 North Mt. Sidney (Mile 232)
- I-81 South Mt. Sidney (Mile 232)
- I-81 South New Market (Mile 262)
Interstate 66
- I-66 East Manassas (Mile 48)
Interstate 85
- I-85 North Dinwiddie (Mile 55)
- I-85 South Dinwiddie (Mile 55)
- I-85 North Alberta (Mile 32)
- I-85 South Alberta (Mile 32)
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Valerie Catrow
Valerie Catrow is editor of RVAFamily, mother to a mop-topped first grader, and always really excited to go to bed.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
Here’s a novel idea: why doesn’t the Commonwealth start building travel plazas where motorists can pay for the rest stop from the tax dollars generated by gas stations, restaurants, and convenience stores? These plazas are all over the northeast. We could even go a step further, and have these travel plazas serviced by local businesses instead of Cinnabon, Starbuck’s, and Hardees, thereby promoting homegrown small businesses as well as economically sustainable tourism.
@ Jack: They would except Federal Law prohibits it. The service areas on the PA and NJ turnpikes pre-date the law and were grandfathered in.
I think this is a little bit of a non issue. When my family (two adults, a 3.5 year old and a 2 year old) travels we are much more likely to stop at an exit than a rest area. If we are stopping we want more than just bathrooms, and there are very few exits along the length of I-95 or I-81 where there is not a gas station and a fast food place.
And with GPS and the internet on your phone, rest areas are quickly becoming obsolete.
The only times we’ve ever stopped at rest areas is when we’re traveling with our dogs. Those spots tend to have more room to let the dogs stretch their legs without bothering anyone. Otherwise we opt for gas stations and the like.
If VDOT had a dime for every person that has suggested travel plazas and leasing out the rest areas to private companies, they would have the 9 million dollars that closing the rest areas is going to save…instead of writing useless letters to the editor, write your congressman and get the law changed that will allow it…