Connecticut Closes All Rest Areas

Truckers transversing Connecticut are in for a bad surprise. Connecticut has closed all its rest areas in a bid to cut spending and close a state budgetary problem. 

The rest area is a critical service for truckers. I don’t need to tell you that. The ability to pull over when tired and take a load off for a bit is a huge benefit. Frankly, it is a safety issue when you really think about it given the fact the tired drivers tend to get in accidents while rested ones do not. 

Connecticut has big budget problems like most states these days. The fact it is looking to cut costs is hardly surprising. The fact it is looking to close rest areas seems a bit odd because the state only has seven non-commercial rest areas. Despite this small number, the savings are estimated to be over $1.3 million a year and another $14 million in savings on capital improvements needed to keep the areas open.

Don’t take this to mean that there are no rest areas in the state. Connecticut has plenty of commercial facilities just like you see in other states. That being said, the loss of over 1,500 truck parking spots is going to tax the system although one can imagine commercial vendors will fill this area before to long. 

The loss of the rest areas in Connecticut is not a good development for truckers to say the least. The budgetary concerns of states are such that certain expenses simply have to go. One gets the very real feeling that this will not be the only state to take such measures, so make sure to keep your eyes pealed for further developments