Underutilized facilities will be closed to cut costs
The
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will close four
interstate rest areas on January 27, 2010. The closings are aimed at
creating cost savings with minimal impact on the public. The facilities
were chosen due to their age and condition, traffic counts and the
availability of other restrooms and truck parking nearby. The facilities that were selected are:
- I-95 Florence County. Two
rest areas are located at mile marker 171. One is on the northbound
lanes and another is on the southbound side of the interstate.
- I-85 Cherokee County. Located at mile marker 89
- I-26 Berkeley County. Mile marker 202.
The two rest areas on I-95 in Florence were built in 1975. Currently both facilities would require
significant
funds to make proper renovations. Water and plumbing problems alone
would cost $50,000 to repair. Due to the growth of commercial facilities
near these two rest areas, the annual average daily traffic (AADT) has
shrunk to approximately 1,000 vehicles. The statewide average is 1,450
vehicles per day. In addition, these two facilities only provide seven
truck parking spaces.
The
I-85 rest area in Cherokee County slated for closing was built in 1987.
The facility is in good condition. However, the development that has
taken place on this section of I-85 has provided travelers with numerous
choices of commercial facilities. As growth has occurred, the daily
traffic count at this rest area has dropped to 900 vehicles.
The
rest area on I-26 in Berkeley County is the oldest of the facilities
scheduled for closing. This rest area was built in 1970 and is in very
poor condition, No renovations have ever occurred at this facility.
Though the site will be closed, SCDOT will have the option of re-opening
it temporarily in the event of a hurricane evacuation.
SCDOT
would prefer not to reduce the number of service facilities on our
highways. However, increasing costs to maintain these four facilities,
coupled with the low volume of drivers who are using them has led to the
decision to use the agency’s limited funds on transportation needs with
higher priorities.
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PHOTOS:
http://www.scdot-transfer.org/scdotphotos/2010RestAreaFlo95.jpg
http://www.scdot-transfer.org/scdotphotos/2010RestAreaFlo95NoWater.jpg
Two
rest areas on opposite sides of I-95 in Florence County at the
intersection of I-95 and SC 327 are being closed along with two other
facilities in the state. The Florence facilities lost water due to a
water line break. Rather than repairing them prior to closing, portable
toilets were used for travelers prior to the closing.