Bill to reopen I-95 rest stops rejected

Submitted by The Associated Press on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 08:15

AUGUSTA  — Lawmakers in Maine have rejected a proposal to reopen two rest areas on Interstate 95 that were shut down because of state budget cuts.

The Legislature's Transportation Committee voted 10-2 Thursday against a bill calling for two rest areas on either side of I-95 in Pittsfield to be reopened.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Rep. Doug Thomas said the closed rest stops send the wrong message to tourists. He said closing the rest stops is like inviting guests to your home and then locking the bathroom door.

But opponents said maintaining the rest areas would cost an estimated $227,000 in state funds through the middle of next year at a time when the Department of Transportation is struggling to find enough money for basic road maintenance.

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