Why rest areas are closing

[Ragman]

Seeing as I'm not otr very often, it's not something that effects me.

How about You?

Why old-fashioned highway rest stops are disappearing

 

[Moot]

Old-fashioned highway rest stops may be disappearing but are being replaced by new, larger rest stops. At least in the Upper Midwest. I don't know where exactly the money came from but the construction of these new rest areas coincides with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Missouri built a large new rest area on I-35, south of the Iowa line. Iowa built two new rest areas just north of Des Moines on I-35 and others around the state.
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Wisconsin built two of the most opulent rest areas I have come across. Opulent isn't a word associated with Frank Lloyd Wright and Prairie School architecture but as rest areas go, these are opulent. They are also a beautiful tribute to Wisconsin born Frank Lloyd Wright.
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[geo]

they should do private , and let them run them. where state has no money in them, lease it to a company and make money on rent

 

[Captain Canuck]

With the build up and urban sprawl the distance between cities with no services has been reduced making rest areas less needed.
Just get off the interstate and support small town businesses and do the country a favour . Small business needs your support.

 

[muttly]

I like having them. Michigan eliminated at least one a few years ago around Brighton. It allows drivers to stop quickly and stretch their legs, use the restroom, and get back on the road.

 

[jaxonviking]

I've noticed they're getting to be more tourism-oriented or to make a good impression to visitors crossing into the state. A lot of the older ones were too small to handle current traffic and were just not holding up well.