Truckers traveling on Connecticut interstates are facing the loss of scarce parking spots due to planned state rest stop closings.
Non-commercial rest areas on Interstate 84 at Willington, Conn., are scheduled to close July 1 due to budget cuts, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Rest areas on I-84 in Danbury and Southington, I-95 in North Stonington, and I-91 in Middletown and Wallingford, are scheduled to shut down July 1, 2012, the state DOT said on its website.
The moves will force truckers to find somewhere to park their rigs and take required breaks, said Motor Transport Association of Connecticut president Michael Riley.
“I can’t believe that someone who understands the implications (of these closures) would approve this,” he said. “Every private rest area for truckers is filled every night.”
With three days remaining in the state’s legislative session, Riley said the association has been working to get the funding restored.
Any loss of trucker parking is crucial because the state has already closed two service areas that offered a combined 79 sports, Riley said. A service area is one that includes a gas station a restaurant or both.
The state DOT said the Willington closures will save $400,000 during fiscal 2011-12 and that all closures are expected to save $1.3 million per year in staff and maintenance costs.
The rest areas were built in the 1960’s and need to be replaced, CDOT said. Closing them saves $14 million in capital improvements.
