Earlier this month, Virginia’s recently inaugurated Gov. Bob McDonnell announced that all 19 rest areas in the state that were closed last summer would reopen by mid-April. McDonnell had made reopening the rest areas a top pledge during last year’s campaign. McDonnell’s plan would use reserve funds to reopen the rest areas, while Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton develops a more sustainable plan for operating the facilities over the long term. In confirming this approach, the prospect of commercialization was not discussed as an option.
Prior to McDonnell’s announcement, the Partnership to Save Highway Communities sent a letter to the Governor, offering to assist the new administration in developing ways to preserve the rest areas without resorting to commercializing them. Gov. McDonnell has suggested programs such as an “adopt a rest area” plan or the use of state inmates for maintenance projects, both of which would cut costs to the state without directly competing against private businesses located just off the right of way.
We hope that Virginia can serve a model for other states seeking solutions to keeping their rest areas open without resorting to unfair competition. Our coalition is eager to work with the Virginia Department of Transportation in this endeavor.