City input needed for WSDOT’s highway rest stop strategic plan; submit your comments by Aug. 30

The Washington State Department of Transportation recently released its 2023 Safety Rest Area Strategic Plan draft, opening it up for public comment through August 30. While AWC encourages all cities to provide input, we especially urge those cities near rest stops to do so.

WSDOT’s draft plan, the latest such plan in WA since 2008, comes at a time of declining traffic safety conditions across the state, the homeless crisis, which has contributed to parking and public health and safety concerns, and a shortage of truck parking options. The strategy aims to increase road safety by providing safe rest locations for drivers, creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all, expanding commercial vehicle amenities and truck parking, and achieving financially stable operations.

Included among many of the recommendations are plans to upgrade and replace buildings, add security cameras, and “pilot alternative [safety rest area] formats to increase truck parking spaces.” Specifically, the authors consider adding access to free Wi-Fi, hot and cold water stations, cameras, fencing, deployment of security or law enforcement, and revised parking time limits, among other measures.

According to the strategy, 87% of the state’s 47 rest stops are rated in critical condition. The authors recommend full upgrades to 20 rest areas and smaller improvements to the remaining stops, for an estimated cost of $375 million to $525 million over 15 years.

Public release of the final plan is expected in the fall and recommendations may go before legislators in 2024.