There is a priority to make Washington’s rest areas better and safer. An updated safety rest area strategic plan was released by the Washington State Department of Transportation. More input is being requested. Public comments will be accepted through the end of August.
WSDOT’s news release said the strategic plan was last updated in 2008 and, “the needs of travelers have changed and continue to evolve while the state’s 47 aging safety rest area facilities need significant repair and improvements.” The released strategic plan rated 87% of the state’s rest area facilities as being in “critical condition,” while more than half of the rest area buildings will be 50 years or older by 2031. Steps of the 2023 plan include:
– Addressing core focus areas, including safety, financially sustainable operations, customer experience, truck parking and resiliency by providing an overview and strategies for each area.
– Introducing the concept of piloting new site designs, including urban locations with limited RV parking, expanded commercial truck parking, additional safety amenities and commercial truck-only facilities
– Establishing criteria such as crash data, usage, availability of alternative locations, truck parking needs and usage needs by customers to evaluate each location as part of the state’s overall-modal transportation system
– Sharing possible strategies and next steps
The draft plan does not call for closing any existing sites or any new locations.
In 2022, WSDOT conducted a public outreach in which it received more than 5,000 comments. An online comment form, feedback can be submitted by email to wsdotsafetyrestareas@wsdot.wa.gov; voicemail at 360-705-7784. Those wanting to submit in writing can do so and send mailed to: WSDOT Safety Rest Area Strategic Planning Team 310 Maple Park Avenue SE, P.O. Box 47328, Olympia, WA 98504
Safety rest areas in the U.S. date back to the middle of last century. The federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965 jumpstarted widespread development by pushing states to plan for them. Washington set out to build up to 15 new rest areas by 1967. The facilities were designed to include restrooms.
The Blue Lake rest area was the first. It opened on Highway 17 between Soap Lake and Coulee City, in 1966 with a price tag of $64,000. The feds assisted with the cost. Washington built 34 more in the next eight years. Washington’s newest rest area opened in January 2012 on state Route 7 in Elbe on the way to and from Mount Rainier National Park.
