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VDOT holds fast on recommendation to close rest areas, cut staff and scale back on mowing Date published: 5/21/2009
By KELLY HANNON RICHMOND --A severe money shortage has led the Virginia Department of Transportation to stand firm on plans to close rest areas around the state, including two on Interstate 95 in Ladysmith.VDOT Commissioner David Ekern has recommended closing 19 of the state's 42 rest areas as the agency cuts $600 million from its budget between 2009 and 2014. Locally, two rest areas located on northbound and southbound I-95 in Caroline County will close if the Commonwealth Transportation Board approves Ekern's recommendations in June. Ekern did make some modifications to his earlier savings plan. Truck drivers, Virginia's tourism industry and many government officials told VDOT at a series of 11 public hearings this spring that closing the parking, picnic and restroom pull-offs would have a negative effect on safety and the opportunity to pitch travel destinations to tourists. Ekern took the advice, opting close 20, instead of 25, rest areas. Most are along Interstate 81, where there is heavy freight traffic. But Ekern also recommended keeping the trucks-only rest areas open on northbound and southbound I-95 in Dale City. Also, VDOT will try to redistribute the 225 truck parking spaces lost at the 19 closing rest areas. For instance, VDOT would add 10 or more truck parking spaces at the Fredericksburg Welcome Center. Ekern strove to keep a rest area open at a minimum of every 120 miles, he said. "It was very evident that a 300-mile space was a little bit Draconian," Ekern told members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board in Richmond yesterday. If approved by board members, the rest areas would be closed and barricaded July 1. Ekern said he would continue to pursue a change in federal law that would let Virginia commercialize rest areas. If that doesn't work, VDOT will look into demolishing the closed rest areas beginning in 2011. Board members had misgivings about the closings, but most ultimately said the budget left few options. "I don't like cuts, but I don't see that we have a choice," said Commonwealth Transportation Board member E. Dana Dickens of Suffolk. Virginia faces a $2.6 billion drop in transportation funding over the next six years. The traditional funding sources for transportation--gas taxes, auto sales, recordation and insurance premium taxes--will bring in less money than expected.
"But Ekern also recommended keeping the trucks-only rest areas open on northbound and southbound I-95 in Dale City."
**Everybody knows that the truck scales at Dale City is a huge contributor of the backed up traffic on I 95 southbound. Instead of keeping that open, shift the truck rest area to Caroline County or the Ladysmith area where there is less traffic and close Dale City. That way you can have a little less congestion and keep rest areas open!!
Throw the democrats out for good! These last two governors have turned our beatiful state into an embarrasment. Visitor's to our region say the traffic is unbearable and the roads ar crumbling to nothing. This is pathetic what the democrats have done . VOTE GOP!
Look at the larger picture. Based on everything I've seen, VDOT has no clue how to run itself. How many times have we all gone through a work zone to see multiple people seemingly standing around doing nothing? They repave roads they already paved because of miscommunication with different departments. The list of VDOT's shortcomings go on and on. It's time for an overhaul.
That they can't find $9m to keep the rest areas open. I know nobody supports tax increases, but I wouldn't mind paying a few dollars more per year to fund rest areas, road maintenance, etc. Rest areas serve as a safe haven for weary travelers, those with frequent restroom needs, etc. VA even keeps theirs well maintained. It's a shame.
Guess your going to Blame the Governor for Bush's 8 years of Deficits each year he was running the USA too.. the recession affects everyone of us.
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