DOT is saving money, motorists not happy
The Route 81 south rest area in Brewerton is one of six rest areas closing in New York, as part of the state's efforts to balance the budget. The D O T says the rest stop is among the 'oldest, smallest and least-efficient' rest areas, and will save $500,000 this year, a million dollars yearly for the rest of the 'temporary' closures.
Motorists we talked with at the rest area were not happy about the plans. Brewerton is between the Watertown and Whitney Point rest areas, and drivers will have to go 111 miles between stops.
Randy Stiles, who drives to Syracuse from Massena regularly for treatment at the VA Hospital, says medical conditions force him to stop regularly to stretch his legs. And, while the DOT says services are available at exits, and at the truck stop in Syracuse (7th North Street), Stiles says he gets lost going off the interstate.
Another motorist, David Irwin, had pulled into the rest stop during Tuesday afternoon's downpour---this rest stop also gets a lot of 'business' during lake effect whiteouts north of Oneida Lake.
Another man on his way to Buffalo told us he lsees rest areas as tourism draws. There is an historical marker at the rest stop, calling it the gateway to Syracuse, but he says the cutback on flowers and plantings already this year took away from the previously inviting look of the stop
And, two women who frequently drive to Syracuse's airport from Canada say that not having the rest stop will make them cut back on restaurant stops--and beverages-- at local spots on the way.
Workers at the rest stop say they have not been told the exact date of the closing, but the DOT tells us the contractors who run the operations have been notified.
Beside 81 south at Brewerton, the following rest stop will also close November 1st:
>Thruway westbound between 11 and 12 in Shodack, Rensselaer County.
Closing December 1st:
>I-87 (Northway) southbound in Essex County in Lewis, between exits 31 and 32
>I-87 (Northway) northbound in Essex County in Schroon Lake, between exits 27 and 28.
>I-88 eastbound near Oneonta, between exits 18 and 19
>1-88 westbound at Wells Bridge, near Oneonta between exits 11 and 12
The closings are 'temporary' but will run at least thru 2011, and a DOT spokesperson tells us the rest areas will only reopen with restoration of both state and federal funding.
