Eight Va. rest areas reopen; more by April 15

[Blue_Tires]

DINWIDDIE

Gov. Bob McDonnell had the honors Wednesday, reopening a highway rest stop, and it couldn't have come at a better time for travelers Don and Darlene Hansen.

The couple en route from Annapolis, Md., to Savannah, Ga., ducked into the Interstate 85 south pit stop minutes before McDonnell snipped a green ribbon to reopen the small brick building, one of 19 closed by the Kaine administration to cut costs.

"We would have had to keep going, wouldn't we?" said Don Hansen. "We're glad they're back open."

McDonnell traveled 35 miles south of Richmond to join government and tourism officials celebrating the reopening of two I-85 rest areas in Dinwiddie and six others across the state. By April 15, all 19 rest areas and welcome centers that were closed by McDonnell's predecessor last July will be back in business.

In an era of government belt-tightening, the closing last year struck a nerve, inspiring letters and complaints from truckers and travelers alike.

"We heard a lot of feedback," said Jeff Caldwell, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Transportation. "Some folks said we have to save money somehow, and go for it. And certainly we heard from a lot of folks saying they didn't want the rest areas closed."

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/eight-va-rest-areas-reopen-more-april-15