Re: Is it true that the Feds mandate "free" rest areas?

wollman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Garrett Wollman) wrote:

In article <6lous496k84f5eq46ckir2ps0q5juh2d35@xxxxxxx>,
John Lansford <jlnsford@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I don't think it a "dumbass government policy" at all. The only
interstates that are allowed to have privately owned facilities are
the ones with tolls on them, like I-77 in WV.

Not so. Existing service areas are grandfathered in when state
highways are adopted into the Interstate system.

If the Fed were to allow private businesses into rest areas, where
would it stop? It's state owned land, so would the state build the
facilities and lease them to businesses,

That is (almost) the existing model: the state leases the land on a
long-term concession to the highest bidder. (Usually the
concessionaire is responsible for construction of buildings and any
other amenities, though -- not the state.)

What about fuel? Don't you think the existing stations at
interchanges object to this state-subsidized business located so
conveniently on the interstate?

State-SUBSIDIZED? That's not the world that I live in. The
concession operators pay a premium rate for the on-highway facility,
and that's clearly reflected in their prices. Service-area gas is
typically six to ten cents a gallon more than at off-highway stations
nearby.

Yes it's state subsidized. The businesses don't construct the
buildings, they don't own the land. The state provides those and
while the businesses no doubt pay a high lease for their plum
location, they still benefit from not having to pay up front for the
land or construction. What about utilities and upkeep? I doubt the
businesses pay for them either. State subsidized all the way.

And no I'm not surprised the prices are overly high than similar
businesses; after all they've got lazy motorists like Larry who feel
like their time is worth so much that they can't spend a few minutes
more getting off the interstate where the prices are lower. You end
up paying for that convenience while the businesses laugh all the way
to the bank.

John Lansford, PE
--
John's Shop of Wood
http://wood.jlansford.net/
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Is it true that the Feds mandate "free" rest areas?
    ... access provisions on the interstate system. ... Fringe and corridor parking facilities, such as suburban park and ride ... state-funded tollroad Interstates do allow commercialism. ... commercialized rest area ... ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: How Congress screws up highway planning
    ... power to regulate interstate commerce, ... some of the regulated businesses could not be described as "interstate" ... that's based on regulation of interstate commerce. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Is it true that the Feds mandate "free" rest areas?
    ... interstates that are allowed to have privately owned facilities are ... highways are adopted into the Interstate system. ... That is the existing model: the state leases the land on a ... long-term concession to the highest bidder. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: How Congress screws up highway planning
    ... power to regulate interstate commerce, ... some of the regulated businesses could not be described as "interstate" ... that's based on regulation of interstate commerce. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
  • Re: Rest areas on interstates
    ... be limited (it may be based on the total mileage of rural interstate ... Since they served the immediate area as well as motorists, ... They have restrooms, water, vending machines, some picnic ... facilities, a place to walk/stretch your legs, and some now have ...
    (misc.transport.road)
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