This was in today’s Free Lance Star:
Date published: 7/7/2009
BY KELLY HANNON
The Virginia Department of Transportation will close 18 rest areas around the state on Tuesday, July 21.
VDOT is closing some of the state’s 42 rest areas to save $9 million a year in operational costs.
VDOT is also cutting hundreds of positions, scaling back on mowing, ferry service and safety service patrols to save money.
In the Fredericksburg region, rest areas on Interstate 95 northbound and southbound at Ladysmith will close in Caroline County.
Rest areas for passenger vehicles at Dale City on I-95 northbound and southbound will also close.
The Virginia Welcome Center in Fredericksburg will stay open.
VDOT is adding 225 legal truck parking spaces at the rest areas that are remaining open. Also, it is lifting the two-hour parking limit at rest areas so truck drivers can get up to 10 hours of rest.
A 19th Virginia rest area will close on Sept. 16.
VDOT is keeping a welcome center open on Interstate 66 westbound in Manassas through the summer.
