To the relief of truckers and other travelers, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has reversed a decision by his predecessor to close nearly half of the commonwealth's highway rest stops and welcome areas as a way to save money.
The 19 pit stops closed last summer on I-85, I-95 and other major routes will reopen between mid-February and mid-April, McConnell announced. (Here's a map.)
Making it harder for travelers to take a nap or find a bathroom was bad for public safety, tourism and economic development, McConnell said.
"The darkened rest stops presented an image of a Virginia 'closed for business,'" McConnell said. "They left truckers and families without safe and secure areas at which they could get a break from the road, increasing the potential for accidents."
State and national truckers' groups cheered the move.
“As a former governor, I understand the difficult budget challenges that Virginia faces, but I was deeply concerned that safety rest areas were the wrong place to cut funds,” said Bill Graves, president of the American Trucking Association and former governor of Kansas.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter and editor since 1976, he took over the 
Comments
Can't have enough rest areas.
Mon, 07/26/2010 - 03:32 — truckersresourceOften on the road you can drive for hours before finding a good rest area with clean rooms. I am glad to see this rest area opening back up!
http://www.truckersresource.com