Rest Areas Closing in Many States

fulltimedaniel wrote:
I think that part of the problem is the trend in the last few years to "man" rest areas 24 hours a day by contracted "cleaning" crews. This was thought to result in decreased vandalism and lower crime.

What actually happened is that those contractors did what should have been expected. Low balled the first contract bid and steadiy rose their prices over time. What this results in is higher and higher costs states feel they cant get rid of.

There are plenty of companies out there making modular bathroom systems (see some Parks)that are virtually vandal proof. They are low maintenance and can be hosed down.

Other states have invested millions in overly fancy grandiose rest areas that are like mini cities. These soak up more millions in upkeep and those contractors. Thus smaller more humble but badly needed rest areas get closed.

Along my regularly traveled version of I-95(NE Corridor) I see mostly 24/7 rest stops that are also gas stations and food courts. I suspect they have more productivity, less overall crime, and a higher profit per sq ft than the stand alone rest stops. Seems like these type of spots take their business model from Pilot Flying J, 7/11, and TA, and are the wave of the current future. More often than not they also bear the burden of site upgrades as long as the contracts are written properly.

I can see some of the advantages of the s/s self cleaning bthrms at more isolated traditional rest stops with good lighting and CCTV added for good measure.
As for small contractors........as things currently stand this isn't their playground. Too much money has to be put out to win a state contract and all it entails.

Virginia did that under Kaine and then McDonald opened them again a year later. It was a pain when it happens and it will just mean more people going to truck stops. If there is an exit I will pull off and go to the on ramp amnd park to use the facilities for a couple mins.

When I hit a rest area that used to exist and now is closed, I make a special note to try to by-pass that state altogether. There is one state where I will pay the extra 0.10$/gal before I get there just so I don't have to leave any money at all in said state.

Matt

I think that part of the problem is the trend in the last few years to "man" rest areas 24 hours a day by contracted "cleaning" crews. This was thought to result in decreased vandalism and lower crime.

What actually happened is that those contractors did what should have been expected. Low balled the first contract bid and steadiy rose their prices over time. What this results in is higher and higher costs states feel they cant get rid of.

There are plenty of companies out there making modular bathroom systems (see some Parks)that are virtually vandal proof. They are low maintenance and can be hosed down.

Other states have invested millions in overly fancy grandiose rest areas that are like mini cities. These soak up more millions in upkeep and those contractors. Thus smaller more humble but badly needed rest areas get closed.

I only have one rest area I frequently pass. It is closed..

They can be closed for several reasons.
One is natural.. I recall a Rest area in MI that was closed for a period because a well driller hit a pocket of natural gas and it got into the ground and spread, Several houses went for a flight as the gas went BOOM and the rest area was in the affected area. Clearly closing it was the only safe option till the gas was dealt with.

Money (Politics) is yet another reason.. No comment.

Vandals are yet another reason.. They can clog the plumbing

And finally, natural "Disaster" can also clog the plumbing.. Now I've not seen that in a rest area. but I did see it in a campground.. The laundry and primary "Facilities" clogged.. The manager called Roto-Rooter and the sewer line was full of gravel, they cleared it and he suspected vandals.. (I disagreed, hauling all that gravel to the toilet is more work than most Vandals will do).l. Sure enough when it happened again they sent a camera for a swim and found the sewer line had rusted out and here comes the gravel.. Major repair job

westend wrote:
Come on up to MN, we have the nicest rest areas in the country. SD must have become jealous because saving $200K in maintenance is paltry. There are a half dozen rest areas on I-90, just short of the MN-SD border. Stop and admire on your way to the Black Hills.

6 rest areas by the border alone! Seeing those 10,000 lakes in Minnesota must give people ideas.

Many have been shut down in Tn and turned into rest stops for Semis only. some are just closed.
However they are about to raise gas taxes by six cents and diesel taxes by ten cents.
Won't go for this cause though. New stadium, in the future, in Nasville and, to help Developers with roads in Oak Ridge area etc.

I noticed a lot of states closing old outdated rest area's and opening new modern staffed facilities. Oklahoma has a nice new facility at the border on I-135 South. They closed the one on the opposite side. At the Southern border they closed the one before heading into Texas. This eliminated duplication and cost savings.

Kansas has some nice ones and some old outdated ones that need replaced. Kansas has closed most on secondary roads, most were glorified outhouses.

Will agree that Minnesota has some very nice facilities.

The rest area's reflect the image of the state to motorists traveling through.

Utah has forged a partnership with many truck stops and they are advertised as a state sponsored rest area, both on the Interstate system and the back roads. This would not surprise me as the way other states are going, to save money.

A lot closed in Mass. Not enough LEO resources to patrol the nasty things going on there. Around here, they were called lollipop parks.