RICHMOND -
Times are tight at the Virginia Department of Transportation- tight enough that the state agency is shutting down 19 rest stops during the height of the summer travel season.
The closures will net VDOT about $9 million in savings, with the department's revenue shortfall standing at a hefty $2.6 billion.
Some motorists accustomed to stopping at Goochland County's Oilville rest stop- one of the stations on the list to be closed- reacted with mixed emotions.
"It's disappointing, because I think a lot of people stop here and it's a significant convenience," noted Virginia native Jay Levine. "But I don't know what the other options are to save money for VDOT or the state."
Other local residents saw the decision to pull the plug on rest areas as impractical and decidedly irresponsible, especially when it comes to the safety of truck drivers.
"Where can they park [their vehicles]," posed Larry Dorr. "Where can they take a break? Where can they get a nap?"
The closest rest stop to the Oilville station on I-64 is more than 50 miles west in the Staunton district.
Bobby Lloyd has worked in the trucking industry for years, and worries that having such a wide space between stops will put undue pressure on the drivers to carry on with their route when they should be resting up.
"I'm concerned about everybody, [drivers and motorists]," said Lloyd. "You take a sleepy truck driver- it's not a pretty sight."
Tourism and hospitality experts, meanwhile, worry the closures will impact the number of people who decide to travel this summer, and the businesses and destinations that dedicate the bulk of their advertising to rest stop brochures.
Shay White, who owns a restaurant right off the interstate in Oilville, believes he could benefit from the shutdowns.
"I think it could boost business," said White. "People stopping off who don't want to get fast food will hopefully come in here."
The vast majority of the rest areas will close starting July 21, with only the Manassas Welcome Center remaining open until September.
The closures will net VDOT about $9 million in savings, with the department's revenue shortfall standing at a hefty $2.6 billion.
Some motorists accustomed to stopping at Goochland County's Oilville rest stop- one of the stations on the list to be closed- reacted with mixed emotions.
"It's disappointing, because I think a lot of people stop here and it's a significant convenience," noted Virginia native Jay Levine. "But I don't know what the other options are to save money for VDOT or the state."
Other local residents saw the decision to pull the plug on rest areas as impractical and decidedly irresponsible, especially when it comes to the safety of truck drivers.
"Where can they park [their vehicles]," posed Larry Dorr. "Where can they take a break? Where can they get a nap?"
The closest rest stop to the Oilville station on I-64 is more than 50 miles west in the Staunton district.
Bobby Lloyd has worked in the trucking industry for years, and worries that having such a wide space between stops will put undue pressure on the drivers to carry on with their route when they should be resting up.
"I'm concerned about everybody, [drivers and motorists]," said Lloyd. "You take a sleepy truck driver- it's not a pretty sight."
Tourism and hospitality experts, meanwhile, worry the closures will impact the number of people who decide to travel this summer, and the businesses and destinations that dedicate the bulk of their advertising to rest stop brochures.
Shay White, who owns a restaurant right off the interstate in Oilville, believes he could benefit from the shutdowns.
"I think it could boost business," said White. "People stopping off who don't want to get fast food will hopefully come in here."
The vast majority of the rest areas will close starting July 21, with only the Manassas Welcome Center remaining open until September.
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