Comments on: VDOT Schedules Meetings to Discuss Proposed Service Changes

By: VDOT Answers Rest Stop Questions

VDOT Answers Rest Stop Questions — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:50:30 +0000

[...] series of public meetings were held over the past weeks to listen to what the public had to say about these cuts. In most [...]

By: Conner, G. R.

Conner, G. R. — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:22:17 +0000

VDOT should cut back it’s construction activities and maintain it’s staff and roads. From David Ekern’s statement he would need $30m +-. That’s not much to cut in construction. You need to maintain people with experience. The Feds already say we do not have the qualified people to review proposals and oversee work. Some say to hire outsiders to do the work but I would say that if you compared what is being paid for the work to be done now by outsiders versus the cost for it being done previously by employees you will find the cost is much higher. Remember that outsiders are paid benefits too. Money is being wasted that could be used to maintain the system. This is not to say that contractors and consultants are not needed in many cases.
Cutting out services area will present problems. It was noted that it might increase travel time by one hour. In many areas it takes over an hour to get someone there. This means it will be at least two hours.
If you look around the state you will see many areas where maintinance is needed. Our system is becoming a potential problem for the traveling public. We need to maintain what we have. In some cases you can not see signs because of brush. In other cases the pavement being installed looks like it will flood or it will not last very long.
In this day and time it is not a good idea to cut staff. It is a time for training and pulling together for the public. You can not buy a new house when times are tough. You maintain the old one until times improve.

By: Dear VDOT, Sincerely @TruckerDesiree

Dear VDOT, Sincerely @TruckerDesiree — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:44:12 +0000

[...] the public is invited to comment on the VDOT proposals this month, few Virginians might think to comment on truck-driving safety. [...]

By: Patsy

Patsy — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:17:24 +0000

I don’t think most of the rest stops along I-81 should be closed. I drive to Northern Va. and to Md. and Pa. from the NRV to visit family fairly often. We are both in wheelchairs and can’t always find restrooms that are accessible other than the rest stops. From our home to the areas we travel to is about a six hour trip. No rest stop along the way will not be at all good for us. That is a long way without stops for everyone.

By: Linda Goin

Linda Goin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:12:40 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Desiree…I agree that sometimes these budget cuts don’t take into account the problems they generate because those problems aren’t always that apparent. I’ll see about passing your comment along for one of the public comment sessions if possible. Thanks!

By: Desiree

Desiree — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:05:29 +0000

For Motorists & Truckers alike, closing Rest Areas is a Public Safety Hazard.

The Nature of the Trucking Industry, not drivers themselves, forces them to drive the maximum ability that they can. This cannot change unless the entire “Just in Time” Freight Logistics Supply Chain changes to accomadate Virginia.

Federal Laws Prohibit Truckers from moving their Trucks past the allotted daily “Hours of Service”.

By closing Truck Parking areas in a State that already had little parking creates a hazard to all motorists.

By 5pm. this evening on I-81 the Truck Stops were nearly full.

It is now 8PM and there are only 2 spots left at the Virginia Rest Area I am parked at right now.

Forcing sleepy truckers to scour the few Truck Plazas for adequate parking when stops are far & few between is another black eye to the Men & Women Truckers who risk life & limb in all weather conditions to deliver food, clothing & other conveniences.

Additionally this will encourage more parking on offramps & onramps which is an another potential hazard to vehicles entering & exiting the highways.

Falling asleep happens suddenly & you may never get a second chance to realize its time to stop.

Virginia is asking many motorists to risk their lives by closing these parking areas. Driving in this State has its own particular challenges even with the rest areas open & good weather conditions.

Truckers who have few parking choices in the first place & may very well be violating Federal Laws will be forced to continue to drive when they should not.

I hope Virginians can see eliminating appropriate Truck Parking is not in their best interest in the overall scheme to save money.

One life isn’t worth the pricetag.