Ladysmith Rest Areas to reopen
By Ed Simmons, Jr.cpreporter@lcs.net
Closed, bleak and boarded up July 21, the Ladysmith Rest Areas on Interstate 95 are scheduled to reopen by April 15.
Gov. Bob McDonnell, keeping a campaign promise, announced the reopening of 19 closed rest areas four days after his January 16 inauguration, citing safety, tourism and economic development needs.
"It's absolutely fabulous," said Caroline Chamber of Commerce president Cindy Matern, who wants to have brochures about the county available at the Ladysmith Rest Areas.
"It's another way to get the word out about Caroline County," she said. It'll be great that people can take a nap for two hours, and learn about Caroline's great golf courses, she added.
"It's wonderful," said Gary Wilson, director of Caroline Economic Development. "It's just great the governor is doing this."
Having the Ladysmith Rest Areas open will benefit visitors traveling to the State Fair, the Virginia Sports Complex and this summer's Jamboree, he noted. "It's beneficial to all our tourist attractions."
Caroline revenue will also benefit because the rest areas buy county water, he said.
Virginia will now have all its 42 rest areas open. Four are opening by February 17, with eight others by March 17.
Caroline's stops, along with two in Brunswick County on Interstate 85, and two on Interstate 64 in Goochland, are opening later due to work needed on their wastewater systems.
It will cost about $7.5 million to run the 19 rest areas a year, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton. He hopes to cut costs having non-violent prisoners cut grass, pick up litter and do maintenance, and volunteers may also be sought for an "Adopt-a-Rest Stop" program.
