Why are so many rest stops closed?
I'm heading west from NC on my way to Los Angeles along I-40. I've noticed that about 30% of the rest stops are closed. Why is that? Is it because of budget cuts, restoration, abuses by travelers? ...
Forum Discussion
While the thread might be taking on a political tone, the truth is that politics are a factor in rest area closures. But one cannot single out a particular party or individual for the blame.
Poor siting? Check. I-95 in south Florida took decades to construct. By the time the road was completely opened, some rest areas that were in the middle of the boondocks when the road was designed were in an urban area when the road was completed. Thus, some rest areas were never opened at all.
Budgets for new roads are tight and state transportation funds are few. Would you have the state DOT build and maintain rest areas or fix potholes and crumbling bridges? New laws regarding accessibility for the disabled means that many rest areas with sanitary facilities must be extensively refurbished or completely rebuilt to comply with federal regulations.
Abuse by the traveling public has made the need for full-time staffing of rest areas with facilities necessary, or else thieves will come along and literally steal anything that isn't nailed down.
Security is yet another factor. There are bad people out there who will rob, sexually assault, or kill a traveler taking a rest at a rest area. If the rest area is too remote to adequately supervise with either a sworn law enforcement officer or a "rent a cop", the facility might be closed on safety concerns.
Poor siting? Check. I-95 in south Florida took decades to construct. By the time the road was completely opened, some rest areas that were in the middle of the boondocks when the road was designed were in an urban area when the road was completed. Thus, some rest areas were never opened at all.
Budgets for new roads are tight and state transportation funds are few. Would you have the state DOT build and maintain rest areas or fix potholes and crumbling bridges? New laws regarding accessibility for the disabled means that many rest areas with sanitary facilities must be extensively refurbished or completely rebuilt to comply with federal regulations.
Abuse by the traveling public has made the need for full-time staffing of rest areas with facilities necessary, or else thieves will come along and literally steal anything that isn't nailed down.
Security is yet another factor. There are bad people out there who will rob, sexually assault, or kill a traveler taking a rest at a rest area. If the rest area is too remote to adequately supervise with either a sworn law enforcement officer or a "rent a cop", the facility might be closed on safety concerns.
