IRVINE, CA - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) are trying to change federal laws that govern rest area commercialization, appealing to states nationwide to change the way rest areas operate without relying on budgets allocated for public safety services, TruckingInfo.com reports.
ADOT Director John Halikowski led a discussion on rest area commercialization with transportation leaders from across the country during a recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials meeting. Arizona officials maintain that the existing federal policies penalize states with newer infrastructure by prohibiting privatization or partnerships to operate rest areas.
Currently, only states with rest areas that were operational prior to passage of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act are legally allowed to privatize, outsource, or engage in public-private partnerships. Arizona has none of these and last fall, ADOT announced plans to close 13 highway rest areas, due to a $100 million budget shortfall.
"Rest areas are part of the nation's highway system. While vehicles have become more fuel efficient, safe and comfortable, drivers - including commercial drivers - still need opportunities to stop and rest in safe locations," Halikowski said. "Budget restrictions and dramatic declines in revenues mean that some difficult decisions have to be made in order to prioritize safety services. Arizona has been teased by the East Coast media as 'hanging up on Nature's call' or moving to install pay toilets. The truth is that all states need greater flexibility from the federal government to complete our mission - a mission that is diverse beyond rest areas."
NATSO, the organization representing travel plazas and truck stops, has argued against rest area commercialization, warning that it would negatively impact local communities and small businesses that rely on Interstate highway traffic. It said that the action would amount to unfair competition to existing businesses along Interstates.