MoDOT wants to demolish I-55 Fruitland Rest Areas

[Revive 755]

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1699797.html

I think the project manager needs to travel more; a decent rest area provides a little more than a bathroom, such as weather info and sometimes information about services available along the interstates.  One also probably can't take a nap at one of the gas stations or fast food joints either.  Sure, the Fruitland Exit has a few gas stations, but there doesn't appear to be any other services until the Perryville Exit.  This also makes an ~120 mile gap between rest areas northbound, and an ~196 gap southbound - assuming one is staying on I-55, the previous rest area is now near IL 140 since MoDOT already converted the southbound rest area near Bloomsdale into a weigh station.

[Crazy Volvo Guy]

I know this topic is old...but this kind of stuff pisses me off to no end.

One of the BASIC FUNCTIONS of government is to provide sufficient transportation infrastructure; rest areas on the Interstate ARE PART OF THAT.

Perhaps it's time to allow turnpike-style service plazas to be built on Interstates.  The "no enterprise on the Interstate" rule was a product of the time period the Interstate system was designed and first built in, back before national chains took over everything.  McDonald's, for instance, was in its infancy; founded merely a year before the Interstate act passed Congress.  The rule is now largely irrelevant and needs to be repealed; there's jack shit difference between going to a McDonald's at the end of an offramp or going to a McDonald's at a rest area on the Interstate.  Prehaps with tax-paying businesses at rest areas, with that tax revenue being explicitly used only for upkeep of those rest areas, we wouldn't be seeing the bullshit happening anymore.

Something needs to be done and it needs to be done quickly.

[M86]

I agree totally... I'm used to South Dakota, and their Rest Areas are spaced rather far apart (You'd think they would have more).  Coming down on I-29, there are 2 Rest Areas between the IA border and Kansas City.  When I was driving through there, the southbound Rest Area (I think it was the one south of Mound City) was closed off, and the awesome MoDOT construction sign indicated that a new rest area was being reconstructed. 

I hope they will reconsider this.

[ShawnP]

The budget genius's at MODOT think they will save on closing rest areas. That is true but they will end losing the most important thing on highway.  LIVES as more and more tired drivers try to press on just a bit more and more till the next rest area.

[InterstateNG]

The budget genius's at MODOT think they will save on closing rest areas. That is true but they will end losing the most important thing on highway.  LIVES as more and more tired drivers try to press on just a bit more and more till the next rest area.

What?

[Takumi]

He said something to the effect of "if MODOT closes rest areas to save money, people will crash and die due to being tired because they couldn't stop at a rest area". Which is overstating it a bit.

[ShawnP]

Overstating a bit just wait until your sleepy and the next rest area is 60 plus miles away. Rest areas were created after the original designers notice many deaths from sleepy drivers. Plus I really don't see much savings from closing them. I would rather have them open and save money elsewhere. IE less four laning of highways in Missouri that aren't needed. For instance Missouri 13 between Richmond and Lexington was four laned to Interstate standards. I can tell you that was not needed. A new bridge yes but not 4 lanes. Richmond is 5K at best and Lexington 4K at best.

[InterstateNG]

Overstating a bit just wait until your sleepy and the next rest area is 60 plus miles away.

I'll stop at a rest area to take a piss.  Not to catch some Z's while perverts are looking for a quick fix.  I'll find a motel.

Have you contacted a legislator about this grave offense, or is that too much work?

[agentsteel53]

if I can't find a rest area, I'll pull over by the next exit and catch some Z's there. 

[Takumi]

Exactly. I don't necessarily agree that closing rest areas is the best solution, but i generally only use them to use the bathroom, stretch my legs, or grab a state map if they have one. If I feel tired, I'll look for a hotel or maybe a gas station.

[AZDude]

I love rest areas!  I would hate to see any close down.  They provide a great place to take a break with tables, restrooms, vending machines, wireless internet, and state info.  I know the truckers appreciate them.  Think about it, it's faster than getting off the freeway and going through a series of turns looking for a gas station to use the restroom.  All you do is exit, park, then get back onto the freeway.  Plus you don't have to feel obligated (or required) to buy something at a store.