Del. Marshall takes up rest area cause

Del. Robert G. “Bob” Marshall waded into Virginia’s rest area fight Tuesday.

The western Prince William County Republican sent letters to Rep. Frank R. Wolf and U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, asking that they consider introducing legislation to allow the Old Dominion to have private businesses at rest stops.

Nineteen rest areas, including those on Interstate 95 in Dale City and on Interstate 66 in Manassas, are slated to close July 21 in a state budget cost-cutting measure. The move projects to a savings of $9 million toward a $2.6 billion shortfall.

Marshall wrote that allowing restaurants, gas stations or the like to operate at rest stops might allow these highway outposts to stay open or reopen as soon as possible.

“Rest stops are an important part of Virginia’s transportation infrastructure and their closing will likely affect Virginia’s tourism industry in a negative way,” he wrote to Wolf and Warner. “It will also mean the loss of jobs for many people who work at these rest stops. In these difficult economic times we cannot afford for this to happen.”

Marshall asked that Wolf and Warner consider submitting an amendment to the federal transportation appropriations bill to suspend for one year the law that prohibits Virginia and other states from contracting with private businesses.

“There are a number of states (including Maryland and Pennsylvania) which were grandfathered when the federal law prohibiting this sort of public/private partnership passed and still have rest stops with restaurants and gas stations attached,” he noted.

In an interview Tuesday, Marshall said he approached Warner and Wolf, who represents western Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park, because he has worked with them in the past and because they represent both major political parties. Warner’s a Democrat, Wolf a Republican.

The lawmakers also serve on committees with transportation responsibilities.

Dan Scandling, Wolf’s chief of staff, said that his boss intends to pursue Marshall’s idea and that the congressman expects to get a similar request from Gov. Timothy M. Kaine soon. Wolf asked Kaine last week to keep all the rest areas open.

The House Appropriations Committee, which Wolf serves on, could take up the transportation bill as soon as Friday, Scandling said.

Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey said the governor and Wolf have discussed the rest area issue.

He said Kaine plans to send a letter to Virginia’s entire congressional delegation asking for support.

“The governor has never been silent on that issue,” Hickey said.

Staff writer Jonathan Hunley can be reached at 703-369-5738.