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Ohio DOT looks to turn rest areas into revenue generators

GasBuddy Blog -- Every state DOT, one hopes, is looking to reduce costs. With department efficiencies, ODOT has found ways to free up $400 million for future transportation projects... and that's not all. They're looking at things that for ages have been identified only as burdensome "costs" but now are thinking that some of those costs might be able to generate revenue too.

Ohio DOT Spokesman Steve Faulkner spoke extensively with GasBuddy this week to share why they're excited in Ohio. First, he said that improved DOT efficiencies, workforce reductions (by attrition) and vehicle fleet reductions, higher than expected gas tax receipts and savings from a mild winter are allowing ODOT to dump $400 million into the budget for new transportation construction...

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Submitted Jun 27, 2012 By: PD

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murgan Veteran Author Louisville Posts:385 Points:926,570 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2012 1:10:17 PM Ignore murgan Report Abuse Guess I won't be stopping in Ohio then...
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,008 Points:599,685 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 12:15:02 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse ok
CPGas1815 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,027 Points:1,099,605 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 29, 2012 4:06:48 AM Ignore CPGas1815 Report Abuse I know I read this article very recently. It seems like I am experiencing deja vu. What's the deal with all of the old news.
OWENALOTT Champion Author Appleton Posts:2,182 Points:500,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 8:33:05 PM Ignore OWENALOTT Report Abuse Thank you for posting. interesting read.
charladan All-Star Author Virginia Posts:564 Points:450,390 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 3:26:33 PM Ignore charladan Report Abuse Nearly every request for commercialization seems to get approved by the feds. So why not find a way to rid the interstates of the scourge of TOLLS (the most obvious sign that politicians are lazy and tend to lie) if businesses are willing to pay for the advertising then the useless abundance of tollroads should be eliminated.
khareabhishek All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:812 Points:401,655 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 2:32:17 PM Ignore khareabhishek Report Abuse If they allow commercial establishment on Rsst areas, they will be more lively, else those places looks scary after dark.
bongobro Champion Author St. Louis Posts:14,525 Points:2,324,740 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:17:17 PM Ignore bongobro Report Abuse Can't speak for Ohio, but I remember driving into Wisconsin in 1994 and through Tennessee (on the way to Nashville) in 2010, and I was impressed by Wisconsin's friendliness and cleanliness, and in particular by Tennessee tying in many of its en-route attractions into each rest stop. Hope it works...
w4kh Champion Author Tennessee Posts:11,675 Points:2,229,965 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:16:41 PM Ignore w4kh Report Abuse "Federal law is very clear. Commercial development on those --- interstate rest areas is prohibited..." Interesting since in Massachusetts, on I-90 and in Maine, on I-95, there are rest stops with filling stations and branded restaurant/food courts which sure seems like commercial development to my weak eyes and small brain...
bigdipperMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:1,522 Points:538,725 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:13:46 PM Ignore bigdipperMS Report Abuse Congratulations to the Ohio DOT for being innovative. Reducing cost while generating revenue should be considered by all States.
nomad228 Champion Author Columbus Posts:3,117 Points:575,140 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:13:15 PM Ignore nomad228 Report Abuse just as long as it does not turn around and bite U.S. in the rear ends by more taxes.
jorja13 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,095 Points:250,775 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:04:10 PM Ignore jorja13 Report Abuse We went through the nicest rest stop I have ever seen in Kansas a few years ago. The building was nice, clean, and there were two senior volunteers with free coffee and cookies. They also had a lot of native crafts displayed and the history of Kansas. Nothing was for sale but I would have bought a souvenir if there was something tasteful and inexpensive. On the other side, a few years ago when we drove through California an awful lot of rest areas were closed.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:8,730 Points:1,582,425 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:00:21 PM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse We'll see how it works. [Edited by: PaylessKY at 6/28/2012 2:01:28 PM EST]
CTarp Champion Author Texas Posts:1,236 Points:608,895 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 1:00:04 PM Ignore CTarp Report Abuse Another "tax"
toxigas Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,217 Points:408,265 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:59:49 PM Ignore toxigas Report Abuse They're trying!
99church Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,826 Points:363,015 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:59:22 PM Ignore 99church Report Abuse yesterday, but good for them for finding money without raising taxes
edg104 Champion Author Memphis Posts:1,607 Points:375,300 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:59:01 PM Ignore edg104 Report Abuse Good plan, I hope it works.
pmanning7843 Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,686 Points:339,190 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:54:34 PM Ignore pmanning7843 Report Abuse ok
azadus All-Star Author Houston Posts:554 Points:110,975 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:53:37 PM Ignore azadus Report Abuse ok
oldiesman Champion Author New York Posts:6,437 Points:2,195,760 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:51:30 PM Ignore oldiesman Report Abuse Another charge.
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:504,980 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:50:36 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse Any way to charge us for something.
investmentdr Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,034 Points:1,456,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:49:38 PM Ignore investmentdr Report Abuse yet ODOT can't find money to properly fix the busiest bridge in the state
JagXKR Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,169 Points:1,093,330 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:48:53 PM Ignore JagXKR Report Abuse Rest stops are for rest and I shouldn't have to pull out my wallet when I stop.
papou Champion Author Tampa Posts:10,889 Points:1,907,310 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:48:51 PM Ignore papou Report Abuse good less taxes ?
drz614 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,309 Points:599,570 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:46:09 PM Ignore drz614 Report Abuse ok
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,566 Points:733,965 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:44:05 PM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse We need charging stations at Rest Stops! We can then charge our cars while we poop!
Jamer Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:8,764 Points:1,637,235 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:43:33 PM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse Yeah, Good Luck With That One.
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,232 Points:1,734,530 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:43:28 PM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse Well, good for them
Dale Jr. Champion Author Illinois Posts:16,234 Points:3,238,025 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:42:48 PM Ignore Dale Jr. Report Abuse I'm surprised they didn't decide to add pay locks on the outside of the stalls.
EMoe57 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:4,622 Points:1,017,015 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:42:20 PM Ignore EMoe57 Report Abuse good luck with that
Martillo Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,604 Points:731,110 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:42:03 PM Ignore Martillo Report Abuse ok
danandmary Champion Author California Posts:4,198 Points:968,700 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:40:44 PM Ignore danandmary Report Abuse Good for Ohio
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,547 Points:823,300 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:38:04 PM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse ok
biggyhy Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,486 Points:476,205 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:38:03 PM Ignore biggyhy Report Abuse ok
MTPokts Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,280 Points:777,040 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:36:25 PM Ignore MTPokts Report Abuse Then eventually, they will have to close the underperforming locations.
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,086 Points:1,821,470 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:33:38 PM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse Ok
tick1946 Sophomore Author Cincinnati Posts:112 Points:1,026,190 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:32:32 PM Ignore tick1946 Report Abuse Have you folks that are complaining never stopped in WVA or NJ or PA. They have tolls, plus pay toilets and outrageous prices for food and gas along those pikes. And yet they are all broke! Ohio has lowered personal income taxes and business taxes---business has moved back here and unemployment is down. You can always get off the public road and use a free toilet at the Speedway etc:.
naw62 Champion Author Maine Posts:9,442 Points:2,218,865 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:31:37 PM Ignore naw62 Report Abuse Crazy idea
Tekkie Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:4,333 Points:913,630 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:31:06 PM Ignore Tekkie Report Abuse More money into a rat hole.
camaro_man Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,237 Points:612,020 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:30:37 PM Ignore camaro_man Report Abuse wow
nascar1411 Champion Author Idaho Posts:1,903 Points:663,290 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:27:16 PM Ignore nascar1411 Report Abuse pee jugs will litter the roads
Timons All-Star Author Houston Posts:698 Points:496,075 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:26:40 PM Ignore Timons Report Abuse With some of the sketchier rest-stops it may be difficult to attract sponsorship.
StraubeyKY Sophomore Author Kentucky Posts:230 Points:226,550 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:26:04 PM Ignore StraubeyKY Report Abuse Looks like I'm not stopping in Ohio any time soon.
amearly Champion Author Michigan Posts:12,129 Points:2,469,560 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:25:45 PM Ignore amearly Report Abuse Again as long as they actually use the money for what is is intended for . To much taking out of the coffers for other things besides roads.
sdslim Champion Author Florida Posts:1,889 Points:1,711,675 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:24:20 PM Ignore sdslim Report Abuse What next?
toneOH All-Star Author Ohio Posts:551 Points:32,195 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:24:16 PM Ignore toneOH Report Abuse great
joeborge Champion Author Ventura Posts:2,536 Points:905,555 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:23:37 PM Ignore joeborge Report Abuse good
snappytom2 Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:3,556 Points:274,995 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:23:20 PM Ignore snappytom2 Report Abuse Pay toilets, that's the ticket. The Democrats will have to pay, while the republican will be given free toilet tokens with a picture of Mitt Romney on them, courtesy of the benevolent Koch brothers. In Ohio, if democrat, you will have to pay to use the republican crapper.
GryphonX Champion Author Nevada Posts:6,105 Points:1,589,075 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:21:49 PM Ignore GryphonX Report Abuse Been seeing more of this "selling advertising" on public structures ... I think its a dangerous road to go down ...
isis1812 Veteran Author West Virginia Posts:367 Points:192,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:21:26 PM Ignore isis1812 Report Abuse Interesting
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,008 Points:599,685 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 28, 2012 12:20:06 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.