As students and families hit the road this summer, those inevitable “pit stops” will likely become more of a hassle, and far less convenient to those on a time crunch on the journery to their destination. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and government officials, headed by Governor D-Tim Kaine, have decided to close several rest stops across Virginia. The Commonwealth is closing 19 Interstate highway rest stops, including the two on I-66 at milemarker 48 in Manassas and the two on I-95 at milemarker 155 in Dale City. Several drivers have voiced their concerns stating that the traffic will become heavier for those in need of a break, and in search for an exit ramp. However, we VA citizens “have been assured” that the mayhem likely to ensue is for our own benefit. ABC 7 reports that an estimated $2.6 billion will be saved in construction, service and administrative cuts over the next six years, including laying off highway workers and allowing the grass on medians and roadsides to grow longer. The worst economic downturn in 70 years, declining revenues from gasoline taxes and reductions in federal highway funding are blamed for the cuts. The DOT states that they picked the 19 rest stops methodically and with much consideration, resulting in most of them being in less rural areas, and surrounded by other able-bodied, and tourist welcome facilities. However, not everyone agrees. One motorist reported to ABC 7 ”…If you turn off the tourists they’ll just keep going to the next state,” said Carl Moodt. “Don’t they realize that? That’s disappointing.”
Virginia Gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell, and Creigh Deeds, pledge that they will reopen the “shuttered highway stops.” GOP candidate McDonnell states that he would get the job done within 90 days of his election. ”Shutting down Virginia’s rest stops will negatively impact motorists, impair public safety, weaken our tourism industry, and slap a “Closed” sign on the Commonwealth,” McDonnell said. Inside NOVA.com, reports that McDonnell, a former state attorney general proposed initiatives such as an “Adopt-a-Safety-Rest-Stop” program modeled after the “Adopt-a-Highway” initiative, and having criminal offenders sentenced to community service perform landscape and clean-up work at rest areas. Republicans Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Frank R. Wolf, also criticized the closures Monday. The fellow republicans stated their issue with Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer, addressing his tie-breaking vote to move $9 Million out of the VDOT paving budget. “I understand the financial pressures that VDOT is trying to relieve, but this is not the right way to bring your budget into balance,” Bolling wrote to Homer, who formerly worked in Prince William County’s government.
The rest-stops were closed at the beginning of this month, effective July 1st. While no definite decisions have been made to re-open the facilities, as mentioned, both Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling have taken strides to put the voices and opinions of the citizens of VA into action. McDonnell’s promise to re-open the facilities within 90 days of his election, coupled with Bolling’s outspoken stand against the mea culpa propagated by Governor Kaine and Transportation Secretary Homer, the republicans are ready to fight for the rights of the citizens of VA, and ensure the prosperity of the Commonwealth for years to come.
Many critics have said that Governor 
