Virginia eyes closing 25 rest stops - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Cybergal · **^ Top** #1 02.23.2009

Virginia eyes closing 25 rest stops (Update)

Quote:

Virginia’s transportation department is considering closing 25 of its 41 rest stops as part of a plan to cope with a projected $2.6 billion shortfall.

The Virginia Department of Transportation presented this action as part of its “Blueprint for the Future” at the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting outlining cuts to be made over the next six years.

VDOT will lay off 450 hourly employees statewide next month as its first step of cutting staffing costs and will continue staff reduction through 2010.

The department will hold meetings in March to obtain feedback on the proposed cuts before the CTB makes final plan decisions in June, said Jeff Caldwell, VDOT communications chief.
http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=76465

Cybergal · **^ Top** #2 02.26.2009

VDOT seeks to cut 54 percent of rest area parking; cites budget woes
2/25/09

Quote:

Officials in Virginia are attempting to balance the state budget and make up for their $2.6 billion shortfall in transportation revenue – which may trump safety when it comes to providing adequate truck parking at the state’s “safety rest areas.”
Just a week ago, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced plans to close 25 of its 41 rest areas in the state. VDOT Chief of Communications Jeff Caldwell said this could save the agency $12 million per year in maintenance costs.
Caldwell told Land Line Magazine on Tuesday, Feb. 24, that 54 percent of the state’s available truck parking spaces at rest areas – or 412 of 770 current spaces – would be eliminated if the proposal is passed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in June.
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_ne.../022509-02.htm

IROCUBabe · **^ Top** #3 02.26.2009

The real reason is so they can hand out more stopping on highway/on ramp tickets.

Passin Thru · **^ Top** #4 02.27.2009

YA, I agree, the whole state is just what the truckers call it.The Communist State. The police force has doubled since last 6 year and in our co alone there are about 1 Deputy per 10 persons. N VA B/N Winchester and DC is not a place to drive a truck. There are DOT on every corner, motercycle cops, unmarked cars, the towns have their own DOT cops, We have seen as many as 7 speed traps in 10 miles on RT 7. And above all, our roads are getting worse. They use it to get more taxes.

HFC · **^ Top** #5 03.09.2009

I heard a news report from a Washington, DC area station and then saw an article in the Washington Post newspaper about Virginia closing its rest stops and that includes welcome centers that are normally as soon as you cross into the state.

However, that was about two months ago. Has anyone have a more recent update? Are they still planning to close all welcome centers and all rest stops?

Hasn't anyone given a thought to road safety and sleeply drivers?

MrMustard · **^ Top** #6 03.09.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by HFC

I heard a news report from a Washington, DC area station and then saw an article in the Washington Post newspaper about Virginia closing its rest stops and that includes welcome centers that are normally as soon as you cross into the state.

However, that was about two months ago. Has anyone have a more recent update? Are they still planning to close all welcome centers and all rest stops?

Hasn't anyone given a thought to road safety and sleeply drivers?

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

Here's a news article link from this morning. Looks like it's true. Check out the comments down at the bottom. The people are applauding this. Unbelievable. One lady says we should just get hotels. The other three people say trucks shouldn't be on the road at all, and that the freight should be put on choo choo trains. I logged on as "TiredTrucker" and let 'em have it!

johnday · **^ Top** #7 03.09.2009

Yeppers, good ol' Va. I dread that place. Only one other place in the whole of North America where I've ever been treated as bad. Just think of the additional income they'll realize for parking tickets, along with their hidden "No Trucks over 65'" restrictions. Let's see now, how many places can we park on I81, I95, and I64 there? Not too many are there? There is even a reciever in Newport News that went out of his way to make it difficult, as well as unsafe, for big trucks delivering his ####. I'm sure there are others as well.

Luckily, I haven't had to go to the Peoples Republic of Virginia for a couple months. Hell, I'd rather be sent to Hunts Pointe or Long Island than there. At least the people I've dealt with there would at least lend you a hand if asked.

1nonly · **^ Top** #8 03.09.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMustard

The other three people say trucks shouldn't be on the road at all, and that the freight should be put on choo choo trains.

Don't these people realize that without the money truckers and trucking companies pay in road usage taxes, our nations Interstate system would not exist as it does today? Those shiny new freeways where they can zip from place to place are paid for by truckers. Without us, they'd still be slowed down by speed zones and stoplights.

ship71021 · **^ Top** #9 03.09.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1nonly

Don't these people realize that without the money truckers and trucking companies pay in road usage taxes, our nations Interstate system would not exist as it does today? Those shiny new freeways where they can zip from place to place are paid for by truckers. Without us, they'd still be slowed down by speed zones and stoplights.

Great point but it seems that the government as a whole just doesn't get it.America has went downhill.

JSmitty · **^ Top** #10 03.09.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMustard

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.
The other three people say trucks shouldn't be on the road at all, and that the freight should be put on choo choo trains.

There ya go, now we have places we could build more RR tracks. Lets stimulate our economy by building tracks on their front door steps, all the way down to the entrance at WalMart, where she jumps on her little electric scooter shopping cart.

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