Rest Area Privatization Proposed in Courtney Legislation

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) has teamed up with Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03) to introduce a bill to give states the option to commercialize state-owned rest areas on interstate highways.

The legislation would give states the discretion on how to use this new revenue to fund infrastructure projects and highway maintenance, Courtney said.

Services on rest area in the state have been cut back because of budgetary constraints.

“This legislation will finally provide state governments with the option to enter into public-private partnerships to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of highway rest stops while providing improved amenities to the public,” said Courtney. “The 1956 law that currently blocks the creation of full-service rest stops creates a difficult financial situation for already cash-strapped states. Our bill will allow for public-private partnerships that will cover the cost of providing public restrooms while giving travelers options for food services and convenience shops. I look forward to working with Rep. Banks to build bipartisan support for his common sense alternative.”

Current federal law prohibits states from commercializing rest areas on interstates developed after 1956, even though rest areas all over the country close each year due to rising costs and tighter state budgets, Courtney said.

"Many of the rest stops that don’t close are abandoned and left to decay along the side of the road," he added. "Permitting commercial activity at rest areas, specifically food services and convenience stores, would allow states to convert deteriorating stops into significant revenue generators. States would then have the ability to reinvest this revenue to pay for infrastructure needs."

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