Companies May Run Utah Rest Areas

Utah is considering turning over the operation of its public highway rest areas to private companies, rather than having to pay the $36 million it estimates it will cost to rebuild the aging facilities.

The first experimental partnership has already been launched at a new state-designated rest area along I-15 near Springville. The rest stop has become part of a Flying J gasoline operation at the freeway's intersection with State Route 73. Other partnerships for the state's 40-plus highway rest areas are under discussion, with Flying J and other vendors, said Clint Topham, deputy director for the Utah Department of Transportation.

hile the privatization of all state rest stops "is not our short-term goal, we hope to head more and more into that direction as time goes on," Mr. Topham said.

igns along the freeway direct motorists to the commercial restrooms, which they can use without being obligated to purchase anything. Mr. Topham said the vendor must keep the restrooms open to the public 24 hours a day and can expect periodic, unannounced cleanliness checks by UDOT maintenance personnel.

or its part, Flying J would like to sign rest-stop agreements with UDOT for eight more Utah locations: Nephi, Richfield, Payson, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Willard Bay, Brigham City and Snowville.

uch arrangements are "good for all of us," said Jim Baker, Flying J's vice president of interstate operations. "We give the public a place to unwind, and generate new business for us as well."

imilar partnerships elsewhere could help reduce that cost, saving taxpayers money, Mr. Topham said.

DOT also is in discussions with a Chevron dealer along I-15 near Cove Fort in Millard County. And the agency has begun negotiations with a private developer for a new rest-stop, convenience-store complex along U.S. 40.