They seem to be fading away. Not building them on new roads... closing on others...
Some states seem to do very well in providing rest areas though. Florida and Alabama come to mind. Although I-22 doesn't have any. Mississippi is pretty devoid of them. I-59... the highway the biggest need for them, and they are scarce.
Just found this link too:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iGylTD5xSVhKntRutYQHxUdKbwCAD9996FDO0 (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iGylTD5xSVhKntRutYQHxUdKbwCAD9996FDO0)
It has information about several states.
Connecticut is going to remodel a lot of theirs, plus negotiations are underway to replace McDonalds with Subway and Dunkin Donuts on the rest areas along I-95 and I-395.
They also plan to change their fuel provider from Mobil to something else. Also, they want to improve the decelration and acceleration lanes at the rest areas on the Merritt & Wilbur Cross Parkways in the state.
More info found here:
www.ctrestareas.org (http://www.ctrestareas.org)
I really like service plazas on Turnpikes. At least we don't have to worry about them going away.
I don't know if they'll disappear completely, but they do seem to be getting thinner on the ground.
In one respect they aren't needed as much as they used to be. When many of the interstates were built in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, there were little or no services on them, especially those open 24x7. With the increase of truck stops, travel centers, 24 hour grocery stores, Wal-Mart, there are many more options other than the rest areas.
However, if all you need to do is relieve yourself and take a walk, the commercial options will all take more time.
Quote from: lamsalfl on July 14, 2009, 03:49:54 PM
I really like service plazas on Turnpikes. At least we don't have to worry about them going away.
Actually, the number of them has decreased as well. When the Indiana Toll Road was built, it had eight pairs of service plazas. But, by the late 70s or early 80s it was down to five pairs.
And, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has closed a number of smaller service plazas in the last couple of decades. Also, a service plaza was closed to provide room for the Warrendale Toll Plaza which is the current western end of the ticket system.
VDOT is about to close 18 rest areas as of July 21 and the I-66 WB Manassas Welcome Center September 16
This is one of those major differences between Europe and America.
In Europe, rest areas are common every 15 miles, service areas usually every 20 - 40 miles, depending on traffic volumes. These are directly on the freeways, you don't have to take an exit to reach it.
As far as I know, service areas are only common along Turnpikes, and not along toll free Interstate Highways.
A relative new thing are the so-called expressways, which are nearly to freeway standards (usually only some alignment, speed limit and exit density difference). The problem is that they do not have service areas very often, especially a problem in Spain.
I wonder how someone from Europe is renting a car in the U.S., and trying to find a service area along an Interstate, and can't find any.
Well, I know NC is building a new one on I-73/I-74 as of right now.
The remaining rest areas in Michigan are all getting remodeled to accommodate larger amounts of travelers.
Rest areas seem to still be doing quite well in the rural western states. Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, and Utah are all states I drive across very frequently and I have yet to see a closed rest area or hear of one closing
For the quick stop, rest areas still work.
As for truckers, any parking spot taken away is one too many. At least what the states should do that want to close rest areas is close the building, restrict car traffic and let trucks still use it for parking.
Which brings me to a point I was thinking about quite a while ago:
States keep crying they don't have funding for highways. Yet, they're restricted from placing service plazas on regular interstates.
Problem, meet solution.
Sykotyk
Quote from: Sykotyk on July 14, 2009, 05:32:10 PM
States keep crying they don't have funding for highways. Yet, they're restricted from placing service plazas on regular interstates.
Problem, meet solution.
Sykotyk
I think that they're even restricted from putting service plazas on new toll roads.
Anyway, any attempt to build new service plazas would have to fight cries of "favortism" with whoever got the contract(s). In reality, it shouldn't be a problem as most service plazas in the U.S. have higher gas prices than off the highway.
In Missouri, I would say rest areas are generally a thing of the past. I wouldn't expect to see any built on I-49 or any other future interstate. The number on I-44 and I-70 will decrease after those routes are rebuilt.
It is my opinion that rest areas should still be required, as on some winter days I just want a bathroom and not to buy another cup of coffee. Many gas stations or restaurants don't provide weather information or road construction information or place to simply rest for a couple hours before continuing the drive. Then there are issues when one happens to be out late at night in rural areas with places closing for the night - although I can think of at least two rest areas in Missouri that were not 24/7/365.
Now if there would be a rest area affiliate program in place of some of the closed rest areas, I'd be happier.
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2009, 04:36:26 PM
This is one of those major differences between Europe and America.
In Europe, rest areas are common every 15 miles, service areas usually every 20 - 40 miles, depending on traffic volumes. These are directly on the freeways, you don't have to take an exit to reach it.
As far as I know, service areas are only common along Turnpikes, and not along toll free Interstate Highways.
I wonder how someone from Europe is renting a car in the U.S., and trying to find a service area along an Interstate, and can't find any.
Well, as mentioned elsewhere on this thread, service areas had generally been the province of tolls roads over the years, although you tend to see a lot of them in the Northeast....and while they DO still provide the convenience of skipping off to the side to take a 'stretch and retch' stop, you DO pay quite a bit more for that convenience...up to an extra dollar for food, and up to an extra 25-30 cents per gallon for gas
On my trip to New England in May, i found the worst gas prices were on the Merritt Parkway (2.60 per gallon)...the old Connecticut Turnpike wasnt much better, nor was the Pilgrim Pike (Massachusetts). Service plazas on the Pennsy Pike, the Garden State and Jersey Pike prices were about what could be expected pricewise...
As to why the ones in Connecticut werent taken down with the tolls on both the Turnpike and the Merritt (as well as Wilbur Cross), i am not certain, but at times, i was glad they were there!
as to not finding on the road service areas, generally now, there are gas stations and restaurants at almost every interchange in the US Interstate system (there are a few with no services, but they are usually marked as such on the highway so you know not to stop and waste your time looking...
In Ohio, most rest areas used to be 40-60 miles apart and some have closed in recent years....I recall one built on I-90 in northeast Ohio, opened with much fanfare in the mid-to-late 80-s, but it is now closed and demolished...
i have NO idea why ODOT does some of the things they do....
Quote from: mightyace on July 14, 2009, 03:55:15 PM
And, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has closed a number of smaller service plazas in the last couple of decades. Also, a service plaza was closed to provide room for the Warrendale Toll Plaza which is the current western end of the ticket system.
The two Neshaminy service plazas at the eastern end of the Pa. Turnpike are also closing/closed to make way for the relocated mainline plaza west of the proposed I-95 interchange.
The only rest areas I see any more are the ones at the state lines (i.e. welcome centers).
Rest areas make for good places to catch a nap when doing a long trans-continental drive.
They're still common in Oregon; the one on I-205 in West Linn did close about 10 years ago, though.
Quote from: akotchi on July 14, 2009, 09:10:15 PM
Quote from: mightyace on July 14, 2009, 03:55:15 PM
And, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has closed a number of smaller service plazas in the last couple of decades. Also, a service plaza was closed to provide room for the Warrendale Toll Plaza which is the current western end of the ticket system.
The two Neshaminy service plazas at the eastern end of the Pa. Turnpike are also closing/closed to make way for the relocated mainline plaza west of the proposed I-95 interchange.
The only rest areas I see any more are the ones at the state lines (i.e. welcome centers).
The rest areas on I-80 in PA are as intact as they have been for the last 20 years.
Quote from: Sykotyk on July 14, 2009, 05:32:10 PM
For the quick stop, rest areas still work.
As for truckers, any parking spot taken away is one too many. At least what the states should do that want to close rest areas is close the building, restrict car traffic and let trucks still use it for parking.
That's what truck stops are for ;) Many states are banning trucks from stopping overnight on any stretch of road - including ramps and rest areas. I'm sure businesses don't like anyone loitering on their property -
Quote from: Sykotyk on July 14, 2009, 05:32:10 PM
Which brings me to a point I was thinking about quite a while ago:
States keep crying they don't have funding for highways. Yet, they're restricted from placing service plazas on regular interstates.
Problem, meet solution.
as long as the truck stop industry exists, these won't. They are the reason the anti private rest area law continues to exist.
Quote from: mightyace on July 14, 2009, 05:54:06 PM
I think that they're even restricted from putting service plazas on new toll roads.
Only on toll roads carrying Interstates
Quote from: mightyace on July 14, 2009, 05:54:06 PM
Anyway, any attempt to build new service plazas would have to fight cries of "favortism" with whoever got the contract(s). In reality, it shouldn't be a problem as most service plazas in the U.S. have higher gas prices than off the highway.
Why? If that's true then why isn't anyone complaining about what's present now in the northeast US?
Rest areas are going away because of the U.S.'s philosophy about who should be in charge of accomodations - private. "We gotta get government out of our hair". (YEAH RIGHT!!! - why the micromanaging laws then?)
The oddity along I-70 in Western Colorado (Utah to Denver) is that the majority of official "Rest Areas" are located off the mainline interstate, usually adjacent to the freeway exit, so that one Rest Area serves both Eastbound & Westbound traffic as well as local, non-interstate traffic.
Most of the mainline "Rest Areas" along the same stretch of I-70 in Colorado are officially known as "Scenic Views" or "Parking Areas" with little or no rest area amenities.
On the entire length of I-30, there are only 4 sets of rest areas - 2 in Texas and 2 in Arkansas. The one at M/M 93 in Arkansas is unique in that it's built in the median and requires left exits off the interstate.
Quote from: Chris on July 14, 2009, 04:36:26 PM
This is one of those major differences between Europe and America.
I do think this is significant. In the USA, other than on toll roads, highway services are more or less the "free market". Sombody gets some land by an exit and builds something they think people will want to use. In Europe, and in Canada and Mexico, the roads operate as one system, with services provided by vendors on the road. The road is one "place" and the area it passes through is another.
Now you can see different political/social phylisophies at work here, and as a new poster, I will not get into that. But lets talk about traffic flow.
The basic patern of the interstate highway system dates to the 1950s. And, with good roads and a growing population, previously rural areas become suburbs.
So today we have exits designed for rural areas that now have a large number of residents AND a large number of through motorists looking for services. This burdens exits, and, I would assume that a large number of accidents happen by unfamilar people using exits with patterns they are unfamilar with.
Imagine if certain busy roads in the east and midwest had a "euro-style" system.
That's how a lot of our toll roads around here basically work. Especially the OH Turnpike...sure, it goes near Cleveland/Akron/Youngstown/Toledo, but it's hardly a commuter route for any of them. Certainly the OTP is a place 'different' from the areas it passes through.
Rest areas represent a tremendous cost to the state both to build and to maintain and undoubtedly take some business away from gas stations, restaurants and hotels along the freeways. Obviously having some rest areas along the route is necessary but I think they may have gone a bit overboard when they started building most of the freeways in the 60's and 70's. Actually I'm surprised Obama hasn't called for the building of federally maintained rest areas along interstates every mile or so, since growing the government and taking away from the private sector is such a good idea. They could replace vending machines with "free" government cheese and such, but I digress. :nod:
Another problem we had in the Grand Rapids area, but I'm sure it's not just a local problem, was blatant and open homosexual activity at a couple of rest areas. Not only that, people were stopping to use the facilities and being propositioned for sex and the state was receiving numerous complaints. They set up a sting operation and netted somewhere around 100 arrests (I think) in one day, but problems continued. This was eventually solved when the M-6 freeway was built. The interchanges at I-96 and US-131 were designed to run right through the existing rest areas, which were eliminated.
Quote from: Terry Shea on July 15, 2009, 10:38:13 AM
Another problem we had in the Grand Rapids area, but I'm sure it's not just a local problem, was blatant and open homosexual activity at a couple of rest areas. Not only that, people were stopping to use the facilities and being propositioned for sex and the state was receiving numerous complaints. They set up a sting operation and netted somewhere around 100 arrests (I think) in one day, but problems continued.
It's probably not just a local problem though I have not seen any of it.
The situation you described appeared in the movie "There's Something About Mary" including the police sting! :-D
Quote from: Terry Shea on July 15, 2009, 10:38:13 AM
Another problem we had in the Grand Rapids area, but I'm sure it's not just a local problem, was blatant and open homosexual activity at a couple of rest areas. Not only that, people were stopping to use the facilities and being propositioned for sex and the state was receiving numerous complaints.
Yeah, this has been a problem in Europe too, they closed several rest areas in the Netherlands due to this problem. :ded:
Imagine, you're on a family trip, and decide for a break with your young children at a rest area, and all the sudden you'll see men going at it in the bushes.. :paranoid:
Quote from: thenetwork on July 14, 2009, 10:50:02 PM
The oddity along I-70 in Western Colorado (Utah to Denver) is that the majority of official "Rest Areas" are located off the mainline interstate, usually adjacent to the freeway exit, so that one Rest Area serves both Eastbound & Westbound traffic as well as local, non-interstate traffic.
Most of the mainline "Rest Areas" along the same stretch of I-70 in Colorado are officially known as "Scenic Views" or "Parking Areas" with little or no rest area amenities.
There is one like that here, at I-10 and SR 81. And another odd one at the Apalachicola River where the rest area is on the south side of I-10, so if you go west and get off at it, you cross over both carriageways of I-10. I think it's one of those scenic ones, too.
What irks me is I-4 EB says "Last Rest Area on I-4" in Lake Mary, but there is one at MM 128. They ought to clarify and add "no services" in that statement.
I know the "20 cents higher fuel" argument is the one that'll be used, but the last few times I was on the toll road, it just wasn't the case. The price was within a dime of what you could get it off the tollway - thus, I'm not getting off the tollway, haha!
There are definitely highways that could use a service plaza on them, even non-tollroads, just by the dearth of services near the road.
There's one stretch of the Hudson River valley south of Albany, NY where you'll find cheaper gas on the Thruway than you will off the Thruway.
Quote from: exit322 on July 18, 2009, 10:07:46 AM
I know the "20 cents higher fuel" argument is the one that'll be used, but the last few times I was on the toll road, it just wasn't the case. The price was within a dime of what you could get it off the tollway - thus, I'm not getting off the tollway, haha!
There are definitely highways that could use a service plaza on them, even non-tollroads, just by the dearth of services near the road.
On the Western leg of the NY Thruway, you get the biggest swing in gas prices. Near the Silver Creek exit you have the (only) service plaza between the PA line & Buffalo, and just off of Silver Creek Exit 58, about 3 miles east on US-20/NY-5 you have an Indian Reservation.
The last time I was through there about 5 years ago, I seem to remember the price difference was somewhere near 50 cents per gallon or more. Just checked gasbuddy.com, and gas today is as low as 2.24 on the reservation. Couldn't locate a price for the Thruway plaza, but in nearby Hamburg, I spied an off-thruway price of 2.69.
A VA representative tried to save the rest areas by allowing businesses at rest areas but it stalled in the House http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/rest_area_amendment_fails_on_capitol_hill/39688/ (http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/rest_area_amendment_fails_on_capitol_hill/39688/)
The rest areas on I-80 in PA are as intact as they have been for the last 20 years.
[/quote]
The only rest areas on I-380 between I-81 and I-80 have been closed for over 20 years...however the long acceleration lanes were reconstructed over the past few years when the mainline was under construction. SO there is a nice unoffical parking lot for truckers.
Quote from: Terry Shea on July 15, 2009, 10:38:13 AM
Another problem we had in the Grand Rapids area, but I'm sure it's not just a local problem, was blatant and open homosexual activity at a couple of rest areas. Not only that, people were stopping to use the facilities and being propositioned for sex and the state was receiving numerous complaints.
It wasn't a local problem. There was a similar problem in some Quebec rest areas along TCH-20 in the early 1990s.
Quote from: thenetwork on July 18, 2009, 10:40:30 AM
Quote from: exit322 on July 18, 2009, 10:07:46 AM
I know the "20 cents higher fuel" argument is the one that'll be used, but the last few times I was on the toll road, it just wasn't the case. The price was within a dime of what you could get it off the tollway - thus, I'm not getting off the tollway, haha!
There are definitely highways that could use a service plaza on them, even non-tollroads, just by the dearth of services near the road.
On the Western leg of the NY Thruway, you get the biggest swing in gas prices. Near the Silver Creek exit you have the (only) service plaza between the PA line & Buffalo, and just off of Silver Creek Exit 58, about 3 miles east on US-20/NY-5 you have an Indian Reservation.
The last time I was through there about 5 years ago, I seem to remember the price difference was somewhere near 50 cents per gallon or more. Just checked gasbuddy.com, and gas today is as low as 2.24 on the reservation. Couldn't locate a price for the Thruway plaza, but in nearby Hamburg, I spied an off-thruway price of 2.69.
That's cheating. :-P Of course the reservation's cheaper than anything else in NYS!
Now GDOT is closing 2 rest areas on I-85 http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/two-97928.html (http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/two-97928.html)
I like the concept of rest areas, because its a free place to go to the bathroom. I sometimes feel odd walking into an establishment and heading right for the bathroom without actually patronizing the place. Additionally, some places actually lock the bathroom doors, requiring customers to obtain a key for entry. I noted this at a several fast food restaurants and gas stations across the country. With rest areas, there is no delay when you need to go!
I hope some of these rest area closings are temporary ( a few years) until DOT's get back on their financial feet after the recession.
They're remodeling many of the ones in Texas. The one on I-45 in Huntsville, and the one on I-10 between Columbus and Weimar (in Colorado County) are very nice.
The Delaware Turnpike Service Plaza will be closed in September, torn down and built anew.
http://www.deldot.gov/information/community_programs_and_services/restareas/i95/index.shtml (http://www.deldot.gov/information/community_programs_and_services/restareas/i95/index.shtml)
I don't believe rest areas are a thing of the past, per se, but are less necessary today than they were previously. They made more sense in the past, though, when one couldn't drive nearly as far/fast as you can today. Modern vehicle engineering and technological conveniences reduce the need to stop as frequently as in days past.
I believe the decline of the rest area can be partially attributed to more and more gas/service stations catering to travelers (i.e. opening up their bathrooms to customers), especially those that are near Interstate highways. But more recently and in this economy, it's been a matter of the DOTs looking closely at their maintenance budget and figuring out where they can save some money in the interim.
I can say that Nevada DOT has not made any mentions of closing any of its rest parks (as far as I'm aware). You have to keep in mind, however, that most NDOT rest areas aren't as developed as other state's facilities. Generally, you'll have a modest restroom building, some picnic tables, trees, and space for truck parking. There are some that are merely a place to pull of the highway among trees and throw away your trash--such as the Crystal Springs rest park at the junction of SR 318 & SR 375 in Lincoln County (at the top of the "Y" in this Google satellite map) (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=37.53265,-115.231787&spn=0.002731,0.005638&t=h&z=18&lci=org.wikipedia.en). Driving back to Reno from Portland in summer '07, we stopped at a rest area somewhere in north-central California (I believe we were in Lassen Nat'l Forest, probably on either SR 89 or SR 44). To me, it seemed as though the rest area was fairly new (maybe 5 years old) and somewhat overbuilt given the location, but I assume there must be a need for it or CalTrans wouldn't have built it so recently.
Unfortunately some of what was discussed above regarding the closing of rest areas because of the same services being offered by businesses is happening on Interstate 85 in Georgia:
Some Interstate 85 rest stops now closed (http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/22727/)
the MTQ plans to put new services areas on specific locations http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises_en/zone_fournisseurs/reseau_routier/nouveau_reseau_aires_service#dates (http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises_en/zone_fournisseurs/reseau_routier/nouveau_reseau_aires_service#dates)
however the English version wasn't updated since a while, here the French version http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises/zone_fournisseurs/reseau_routier/haltes_routieres/nouveau_reseau_aires_service (http://www.mtq.gouv.qc.ca/portal/page/portal/entreprises/zone_fournisseurs/reseau_routier/haltes_routieres/nouveau_reseau_aires_service)
One of the nicest rest areas/information centers you'll find on any interstate:
http://www.sddot.com/geninfo_projects_chambrestarea.asp (http://www.sddot.com/geninfo_projects_chambrestarea.asp)
SDDOT has been replacing all of the permanent facilities at their rest areas for most of the last 16-18 years. There is no way SDDOT will close rest areas anytime soon, especially on I-90 between Mitchell and Rapid City, given how sparse most private facilities are in that stretch. :clap:
In WV, the state has no intension of closing rest areas.
The "welcome center" rest area are all being rebuilt on the design first used on I-68 in Preston County. New areas have been built in most places, including a relocation of the I-77 south exit to an, off the ramp, area closer to the actual state line. The areas on I-79, still a rural area, are also being rebuilt. The Turnpike area were rebilit in the 80s, although the southernmost is failing as a commercial venture, due to its proximity to off-turnpike services.
However, the area in Jefferson County, the only non-interstate area operated by the DOT, has been abandoned, and the I-64 areas in Putnam County, now with plenty of services as the area has changed from rural to suburban, are being left "as is" and will eventually rot to non-useability.
Illinois has more rest areas than I've ever seen on a free road anywhere else. And the Illinois tollways have their oases.
From my travels in California, I know the two rest areas east of Barstow on I-15 have been renovated. Also renovated is the Gold Run rest area on I-80 east of Sacramento.
There was also an article in the local paper saying the Junipero Serra rest area on northbound I-280 south of San Francisco was going to close for renovations.
The main point of the renovations of these rest areas is to bring the restrooms up to ADA compliance.
Quote from: myosh_tino on September 06, 2009, 12:47:38 AM
From my travels in California, I know the two rest areas east of Barstow on I-15 have been renovated.
the 1947 porcelain sign just past Baker before the mountain pass survives, despite being about 30 feet ahead of the newly opened rest stop.
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 14, 2009, 03:58:02 PM
VDOT is about to close 18 rest areas as of July 21 and the I-66 WB Manassas Welcome Center September 16
Virginia Rest Stops Close (http://m.wusa9.com/news.jsp?key=199239)
QuoteThe state has a 2.6 billion dollar revenue shortfall. To cut spending, the commonwealth transportation board voted to cut the number of rest stops from 42 to 23. It'll save 8. 6 million dollars.
The ones closed are:
Interstate 95
- MP 155 - Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area south
- MP 155 - Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area north
- MP 107 - Ladysmith Safety Rest Area south
- MP 107 - Ladysmith Safety Rest Area north
* - the truck rest areas remain open at Dale City
Interstate 64
- MP 169 - Goochland Safety Rest Area east
- MP 169 - Goochland Safety Rest Area west
Interstate 66
- MP 48 - Manassas Safety Rest Area/Welcome Center
- MP 48 - Manassas Safety Rest Area east
Interstate 81
- MP 53 - Smyth Safety Rest Area
- MP 61 - Rural Retreat Safety Rest Area
- MP 108 - Radford Safety Rest Area north
- MP 158 - Troutville Safety Rest Area
- MP 232 - Mount Sydney Safety Rest Area north
- MP 232 - Mount Sydney Safety Rest Area south
- MP 262 - New Market Safety Rest Area south
Interstate 85
- MP 55 - Dinwiddie Safety Rest Area south
- MP 55 - Dinwiddie Safety Rest Area north
- MP 32 - Alberta Safety Rest Area south
- MP 32 - Alberta Safety Rest Area north
I think truckers need more rest areas because they are having trouble finding places to sleep and many of them park right on the on and off ramps . Many semi trucks get into accidents because many drivers cheat on their rest times; they cannot find a place to park. The lots at the truck stops are always full too and are not adequate.
Quote from: leifvanderwall on October 09, 2009, 01:33:35 PM
I think truckers need more rest areas because they are having trouble finding places to sleep and many of them park right on the on and off ramps . Many semi trucks get into accidents because many drivers cheat on their rest times; they cannot find a place to park. The lots at the truck stops are always full too and are not adequate.
there are plenty of places to park. Just pull a little further off the off-ramp and no one minds your presence.
Hmmm.... so they spend millions replacing almost-new signs with clearview ones, and then close the rest areas to cover their debt. What the hell. I've stopped at some of those lots of times. They're actually something we could use, and having nice modern rest areas (at least the ones I stop at) even sends a good message to out-of-state people!
VDOT, what little faith in you I had left is now gone.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on October 10, 2009, 07:56:23 AM
Hmmm.... so they spend millions replacing almost-new signs with clearview ones, and then close the rest areas to cover their debt. What the hell. I've stopped at some of those lots of times. They're actually something we could use, and having nice modern rest areas (at least the ones I stop at) even sends a good message to out-of-state people!
VDOT, what little faith in you I had left is now gone.
Well put, I could not agree with you more. DelDOT has done the same thing with regards to their signage, and now are using Clearview on new assemblies. All of that while dealing with a $2-billion plus budget deficit...
At least for the Delaware Turnpike Service Plaza, the demolition and reconstruction is not tax-payer supported, as the facility will be privately run. It does make me wonder if the Delaware Tourist Information Center booth will return. That is one of the few places where one may stop and get a free Transportation Map.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on October 10, 2009, 07:56:23 AM
Hmmm.... so they spend millions replacing almost-new signs with clearview ones, and then close the rest areas to cover their debt. What the hell. I've stopped at some of those lots of times. They're actually something we could use, and having nice modern rest areas (at least the ones I stop at) even sends a good message to out-of-state people!
VDOT, what little faith in you I had left is now gone.
VDOT isn't actively replacing with Clearview JUST for the sake of replacing with Clearview (a la Michigan), are they?
I've only seen limited applications of Clearview in Virginia, certainly not as widespread as Michigan. Or even Arkansas.
Well since the Clearview craze started I haven't gotten out of Hampton Roads much, but all our freeways around here had their signs replaced, even ones that were just put a few years ago when some reconstruction along I-64 was completed.
It's hard to find non-Clearview ones around here now, at least on freeway mainlines.
As far as I can tell, most VDOT jurisdictions outside of Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia are using Clearview signage on newer or replacement signs. There's noticeably less Clearview outside those areas.
Lets keep the Clearview sign talk in its topic (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=1411.msg38893#new) and keep this thread on topic guys
Quotethere are plenty of places to park. Just pull a little further off the off-ramp and no one minds your presence.
Except in those states/locations where parking anywhere along the off-ramp is illegal...
Quote from: froggie on October 11, 2009, 09:13:50 AM
Except in those states/locations where parking anywhere along the off-ramp is illegal...
oops, didn't make myself clear. I meant off the off-ramp to the extent of being parked alongside the frontage road or whatnot. I've caught many a quality Z in such locations!
Apparently visitor centers aren't a thing of the past for Nevada DOT either...
Currently, Nevada has visitor centers off of I-15 at Primm and in Mesquite, in Boulder City near US 93, and off of I-80 in West Wendover. Each of these is off of its respective highway, usually on a business or former route. There are two major entry points to Nevada that do not currently have a visitor center: US 95 south of Boulder City and I-80 near Reno.
NDOT is planning to build a new visitor center will full rest area facilities on US 95, about 1-1/2 miles north of the Laughlin Highway (SR 163). According to a project summary brief on NDOT's website posted in July, the project should be in final design now with anticipated construction starting in late winter or early spring 2010. This center will actually be built within existing US 95 right of way--which makes sense, given that there's nothing else surrounding this location.
The PTC has closed numerous service plazas in this decade after not closing any for almost two decades. The first was the Butler Service Plaza for construction of the Warrendale Toll Plaza, the Zelienople Service Plaza/Welcome Center east of PA Turnpike 60 because of low usage, and more recently the Hempfield Service Plaza due to the widening of the Irwin to New Stanton section and the plaza's exit ramp interfered with the Exit 75 off-ramp.
Arizona is planning on closing a number of rest areas, including two out of the three between Phoenix and California on I-10.
I noticed welcome centers in Wisconsin in both Hurley and southeast of Superior had the words "WELCOME CENTER" boarded up or greened out, with the one in Hurley directing travelers to a tourist info center closer to downtown. (I didn't stop at the latter, but I can only guess it directed travelers to the Richard I. Bong World War II exhibit in town (where I stopped to briefly check out), which is where several tourist brochures were housed. I can only hope the one near Beloit (which I visited earlier this year) hasn't met the same fate.
Quote from: deathtopumpkins on October 10, 2009, 07:56:23 AM
Hmmm.... so they spend millions replacing almost-new signs with clearview ones, and then close the rest areas to cover their debt. What the hell. I've stopped at some of those lots of times. They're actually something we could use, and having nice modern rest areas (at least the ones I stop at) even sends a good message to out-of-state people!
VDOT, what little faith in you I had left is now gone.
http://probablybadnews.com/2009/10/11/funny-news-headlines-government-logic/ (http://probablybadnews.com/2009/10/11/funny-news-headlines-government-logic/)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fprobablybadnews.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F08%2Fwut1.jpg&hash=118204d42a0cb5afacbfe80f567ae7bd8bd91059)
Sykotyk
On our recent trip to Georgia, my brother and I tried to stop at the welcome center just south of the border of Tennessee on I-75. It was in the evening about 9pm, so we expected the Welcome Center itself to be closed, but most state still leave the rest rooms open and some tourist information, but not here! The whole place was closed!
Some welcome! :no: :thumbdown:
Quote from: AARoads on October 09, 2009, 02:14:59 AM
Quote from: 74/171FAN on July 14, 2009, 03:58:02 PM
VDOT is about to close 18 rest areas as of July 21 and the I-66 WB Manassas Welcome Center September 16
Virginia Rest Stops Close (http://m.wusa9.com/news.jsp?key=199239)
QuoteThe state has a 2.6 billion dollar revenue shortfall. To cut spending, the commonwealth transportation board voted to cut the number of rest stops from 42 to 23. It'll save 8. 6 million dollars.
The ones closed are:
Interstate 95
- MP 155 - Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area south
- MP 155 - Dale City Car-Only Safety Rest Area north
- MP 107 - Ladysmith Safety Rest Area south
- MP 107 - Ladysmith Safety Rest Area north
* - the truck rest areas remain open at Dale City
Okay, this sucks. I've been to the Dale City rest areas, and I filled out one of their comment card to let them know that one of their handicapped ramps had some huge weeds sprouting out of them. I got a letter from a company that's in charge of those rest areas apologizing for whatever inconvenience the ramp may've caused me. Of course it didn't cause
me any inconvenience whatstoever, because I don't use a wheelchair.
I thought maybe they'd spray the ramps with weed killer or maybe replace the concrete or something. But instead they're closing them completley. Bah!
The Chicago Tribune (actually from the AP upon further review) has an article today (http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-travel-rest-areasnov11,0,6146979,full.story) about closing rest areas throughout the country. It has a pretty nice history of the rest area as well, and I'm planning to check the sites referenced.
Quote from: D-Dey65 on October 14, 2009, 08:40:46 PM
Okay, this sucks. I've been to the Dale City rest areas, and I filled out one of their comment card to let them know that one of their handicapped ramps had some huge weeds sprouting out of them. I got a letter from a company that's in charge of those rest areas apologizing for whatever inconvenience the ramp may've caused me. Of course it didn't cause me any inconvenience whatstoever, because I don't use a wheelchair.
I thought maybe they'd spray the ramps with weed killer or maybe replace the concrete or something. But instead they're closing them completley. Bah!
IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! :verymad:
Quote from: AlpsROADS on November 11, 2009, 07:24:26 PM
Quote from: D-Dey65 on October 14, 2009, 08:40:46 PM
Okay, this sucks. I've been to the Dale City rest areas, and I filled out one of their comment card to let them know that one of their handicapped ramps had some huge weeds sprouting out of them. I got a letter from a company that's in charge of those rest areas apologizing for whatever inconvenience the ramp may've caused me. Of course it didn't cause me any inconvenience whatstoever, because I don't use a wheelchair.
I thought maybe they'd spray the ramps with weed killer or maybe replace the concrete or something. But instead they're closing them completley. Bah!
IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! :verymad:
Who's got the torches and pitchforks?
The governor-elect of Virginia has promised to re-open the rest areas.
When traveling to Montgomery earlier today. I noticed that the I-65 Southbound rest area near Clanton is still closed. I first noticed it back in August when I was traveling to Mobile. Not sure if it is closed permanently or not.
Over the past several years, ALDOT has closed several rest area throughout the state. Some of these were US 280 on top of Double Oak Mountain in Birmingham, US 280 @ AL 147 near Auburn, US 231 N and S of Montgomery, US 31 in Baldwin County, and US 43 in Washington County.
Quote from: hm insulators on October 14, 2009, 12:43:43 PM
Arizona is planning on closing a number of rest areas, including two out of the three between Phoenix and California on I-10.
Now, they plan on closing more down. Nearly all of them in fact. The one on US 60 near Wickenburg is now closed. :( This really sucks. Rest Areas are one of the best places to stop while on a nice long road trip.
Here in Florida, rest areas in my opinion are not a thing of the past.
However, until the Florida DOT instituted security at the rest areas (initially 24 hour security but reduced to nighttime hours only, probably for budgetary reasons) our rest areas were becoming increasingly unsafe. It took a major incident involving a tourist who stopped at a rest area somewhere on Interstate 10 back in the early 1990's to turn things around as far as patron safety is concerned. Since then I have seen more and more people stop at rest areas because there was a good sense of security; after all, Florida's number one industry is tourism and in these turbulent economic times tourism is still our state's lifeblood.
The last thing we need here in Florida as far as our rest areas are concerned is the removal of the nighttime security patrols that keep watch over our rest areas. If this was ever done as a cost saving measure our rest areas would become dangerous. Based on what I have read here on this post, other states are closing their rest areas entirely as a cost saving measure; I believe their budgets do not allow for some kind of security patrol like Florida's.
Yep. I believe so. I used to live around Ocala, where there is a reat area on I-75 and if I don't recall, there was a service plaza on FL's Turnpike near Ocala (It may have been the first service plaza you see after 75) :poke:
Earlier this year, VTrans (Vermont) closed 6 rest areas... 3 on I-89 and 3 on I-91. Of those closed...
-- I-91 - Springfield NB/SB between Exits 6 & 7 - former parking areas, now signed as weigh stations, and gated.
-- I-91 - White River Jct NB between Exits 9 & 10 - former rest area with facilities, now signed as weigh station and gated. With this closure, there is now 100 miles between services on I-91.
-- I-89 - Sharon SB after Exit 2 and Randolph NB after Exit 4, both former rest areas with facilities, now signed as weigh stations and gated.
-- I-89 - Highgate Springs Welcome Center SB at Canadian border
VTrans logic used was that these areas were in close proximity to exits or other facilities. I was quite happ with the rest areas in Vermont and their placement until this latest round of closures.
Buildings still stand... for now... boarded up. Perhaps someday they can be rebuilt, but doubtful.
^ I understand closing and gating the rest areas, but resigning them as weigh stations :hmmm: :pan:
Quote from: roadfro on November 16, 2009, 02:18:30 AM
^ I understand closing and gating the rest areas, but resigning them as weigh stations :hmmm: :pan:
The Springfield "parking areas" on I-91 I can see making weigh stations and gating. There was some "suspicious" activity found there last year. But the ones on I-89 that were closed at least should be open to the public, if only for just a roadside pull-off... no need to gate the whole place. Randolph-NB has a segregated truck and car area, with the building next to the car area, and requiring a walk up the stairs from the truck area. If they plan on demolishing the building, safe access can be maintained from the "truck" area.
At least one can take a break and run into the woods if need be, if they were open as "parking areas". To simply gate them off to everyone is crazy in my opinion. Although maybe they are going to do work, then resign them as "parking areas" like they did with some on I-91 in the early 90s.
VT uses portable scales, so there's not additional cost involved other than the gate.
Sykotyk
^ That, and the cost to resign the rest area as a weigh station.
Which potentially could just be twenty dollars worth of blueout.
No blueout required... the rest areas were already signed as weigh stations. Original sign progression was:
Rest Area - 1 Mile
Weigh Station - 3/4 Mile
All Trucks - Next Right
Weigh Station - Next Right - Open/Closed
Rest Area - Right Lane
Rest Area - Weigh Station ->
On I-20 in Louisiana, the only rest areas open are the state welcome centers, one at MP 95 on the eastbound side, and one at MP 97 on the westbound side. In fact, the state is spending $238,000 to pull up all of the pavement at the rest areas around MP 58 :eyebrow:. That money could have upgraded those areas quite nicely IMO.
I think that LADODT list about 10 total interstate rest areas left including the Welcome centers.
Mark
Indiana has closed some rest areas, but is also rebuilding some. The new ones are generally larger. The following YouTube video shows one that is still being built:
I-69 rest stop under construction - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1rQCWE0zyM) (WANE)
This is the way it looked in March:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhighwayexplorer.com%2FPhotos%2FTemp%2FI69RestArea-1.jpg&hash=fb3aeb85c1c2f0d3c1d472a0ab705c9b55b9af79)
I-78 has no rest areas eastbound at all! Only a small parking area near Bloomsbury, NJ with no bathrooms that will soon be closed the way NJ is about rest areas. Westbound I-78 has one full service area at the Delaware River and a small area across from the only EB area. Just like its counterpart, no restrooms either.
PA has a ROW set for one to be built in Berks County near Straustown already with stubs for its ramps, but nothing has been done. The NJ Turnpike had a service area in Jersey City on both sides that has been closed for decades.
The Garden State Parkway had rest areas that have been closed. One was actually shut down cause teenagers were having parties in the area's bushes located near an elementary school where parents complained about their children being too close to the action. Then the Tall Oaks area in Cranford had burglers using the area to park their getaway cars after climbing a fence to rob homes in an adjacent neighborhood and was forced to close in the mid 80's/
I-80 has some parking areas that are closed to autos, but very friendly to truckers. I-295 had its Burlington County Rest areas closed some time ago, and have no idea what I-287's one and only rest area is currently. It seems New Jersey does not want them! With crime going up and it being a small state, legislators there do not see spending money to keep them anyway.
Quote from: cjk374 on November 27, 2009, 02:49:26 PM
On I-20 in Louisiana, the only rest areas open are the state welcome centers, one at MP 95 on the eastbound side, and one at MP 97 on the westbound side. In fact, the state is spending $238,000 to pull up all of the pavement at the rest areas around MP 58 :eyebrow:. That money could have upgraded those areas quite nicely IMO.
On I-49, the state has ghost ramps for never-built Interstates. I think the idea for those is that, when traffic amounts are high enough, they will be opened up. It doesn't make any sense to have a WB closed, but an EB open on I-20. I stopped at the EB one time between Ruston and Monroe. It's a nice rest area.
Quote from: roadman65 on May 16, 2012, 06:53:59 PMI-295 had its Burlington County Rest areas closed some time ago
Wasn't that the one that then-Gov. Whitman named the restroom after Howard Stern back in 1995?
Quote from: mightyace on July 15, 2009, 10:45:23 AM
Quote from: Terry Shea on July 15, 2009, 10:38:13 AM
Another problem we had in the Grand Rapids area, but I'm sure it's not just a local problem, was blatant and open homosexual activity at a couple of rest areas. Not only that, people were stopping to use the facilities and being propositioned for sex and the state was receiving numerous complaints. They set up a sting operation and netted somewhere around 100 arrests (I think) in one day, but problems continued.
It's probably not just a local problem though I have not seen any of it.
The situation you described appeared in the movie "There's Something About Mary" including the police sting! :-D
During the mid-80s, Massachusetts shut down most if not all of the rest areas along MA 24 (not the service plazas at the I-495 interchange) for that very reason.
Quote from: ctsignguy on July 14, 2009, 08:52:51 PMAs to why the ones in Connecticut werent taken down with the tolls on both the Turnpike and the Merritt (as well as Wilbur Cross), i am not certain, but at times, i was glad they were there!
One-word answer:
Grandfathered.
Service plazas that existed
prior to a highway either becoming an Interstate (Needham & Lexington, MA plazas along I-95/MA 128) or changing from a toll road to a free Interstate (I-95 & I-395 along the CT Turnpike) do
not have to be removed.
As far as rest stops going away completely is concerned, it depends on the area and stretch of road. If there's a 24-hour facility located at an interchange, there's no need for an on-site rest area; but, if there's nothing available for miles on end (many rural stretches fall in this category) then rest areas are still needed and warranted.
Another thing to consider, the average age of the U.S. population
is increasing. Given the recent barrage of T.V. ads for incontenence, bladder control, laxative products and the like; the demand for rest areas/stops could very well be on the increase in the not-too-far future.
Mn/DOT threatened to close all the modern rest areas not located on an interstate highway and a few that were in the early 2000s in the "funny money" plan, to show the public road improvements without raising taxes, the idea being to sell bonds and use operational savings to pay them back. The legislature said "no way" and ordered them to do a study prior to any closings. The lone results were the closing of the Culkin rest area, one of four on the 150 miles from the cities to Duluth, and of the St. Croix Boomsite rest area by Stillwater, which was not on a highway used by long distance traffic. The legistature then ordered Mn/DOT to reopen the Culkin Rest Area, so they did.
The only other Class I (flush toilets) rest area closed in recent years was the Iverson Lake rest area, which was repeatedly damaged by flooding and was small and had the original 1968 building. There were 6 eastbound and 4 westbound rest areas on I-94 west of the cities so it was also somewhat redundant. Generally speaking new or rebuilt rest areas of the interstate system require a local partner to share costs.
Originally each structure was unique, including the deconstructionist Straight River buildings, and the earth sheltered brutalist Enfield building, but three rest areas were destroyed by arson in the early 2000s and many more are wearing out, and they're being replaced by generic, easy to mantain and vandal resistant structures.
Although two Class II (vault toilets) rest areas have been built in recent years the trend is away from them since the traveling public has higher expectations than in years past.
Class III rest areas are basically scenic overlooks and roadside picnic tables, and such and are also disappearing unless the site is particularly scenic or historic.
I do appreciate the fact that Mn/DOT realizes travelers that don't happen to be on a road with a red white and blue number need to stop and relax and use the facilities too, which seems to be rare among states. I always dread long trips on Iowa expressways without rest areas.