THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — It’s going to cost more money to keep the state’s rest stops open for weary travelers, said the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The state rates 87% of Washington's rest stops in “critical condition” and in need of maintenance, repairs and renovations.
The department’s 2023 strategic plan identified $375 million to $525 million needed over the next 15 years to upgrade or renovate aging buildings.
The state operates 47 rest stops. The Silver Lake area closed in 2019 because of an asbestos roof that is leaking.
Spokesperson Christina Werner said future failures could cause additional closure if the state legislature does not increase maintenance funding.
Jeff Millin is in charge of maintenance at two of the busiest rest stops in the state, Maytown and Scatter Creek, south of Olympia.
He has been told his nickname should be “MacGyver” for all the creative fixes he has made to leaky toilets, failed soap dispensers, broken hand dryers.
Millin said rest stops save lives by providing drivers a place to safely take a break.
“It’s an essential need for the travelling public,” said Millin.
The Department of Transportation is already expected to request increased funding from the legislature for bridge and road projects, and continued work to improve fish passageways.
Werner said keeping the rest stops open should be a priority as well.
“With the price tag and many competing needs, though, there is no easy or overnight solution,” said Werner.