New York to Close Six Rest Stops

New York will begin closing six of its state highway rest stops beginning Nov. 1 in an effort to deal with severe budget problems.

Acting State Transportation Commissioner Stanley Gee made the announcement Friday, stating that the closings would save $500,000 this fiscal year and more than a $1 million next year.

Two stops will close Nov. 1 and four more will close Dec. 1. The state will continue to maintain its 32 other facilities, he said.

The state’s trucking industry was disappointed with the news, one official said.

“They’re currently saying they’re temporary closures,” said Kendra Adams, executive director of the New York State Motor Truck Association. “How temporary they are remains to be seen, but we are trying to work with DOT to minimize the impact as much as possible.”

Adams said that while she understands the state’s budget concerns, she was disappointed it did not consult the trucking industry before planning the closures.

The closings put New York on the same path as other states, including Virginia and Arizona, that have shuttered rest areas to help balance budgets awash in recessionary red ink, though those states have since reopened their stops after public outcry.