OOIDA Call to Action – Ohio members
October 20, 2009

Heads up: Ohio truckers. The Ohio Department of Transportation needs to hear from you about its poor decision to close two rest areas on I-77 with no plans to offer alternative options for truckers.

ODOT says the northbound and southbound Interstate 77 rest areas were closed recently and will be razed to make way for an interchange at Dover. The $11.2 million project is intended to relieve congestion at the existing I-77 interchanges at Route 39 and routes 21 and 250 at Strasburg.

It is inexcusable to take away such valuable options for truckers, as well as other travelers, needing to rest without providing alternative parking. The next closest rest areas are nearly 100 miles away.

Reopening the shuttered weigh stations at Bolivar, a few miles from where the rest areas were closed, is one option that deserves strong consideration.

There is no time to waste. ODOT must act now to make sure truckers and the motoring public who are traveling in the area have an option to park.

You are encouraged to write ODOT Director Jolene Molitoris about your concerns. Comments can be mailed to Ohio DOT Directors’ Office, 2nd Floor, 1980 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43223.

A copy of the letter should also be sent to your state representative and senator. For their contact info, click here. Enter your ZIP code under “Locating Legislators.”