Arizona closing down rest stops due to budget woes

I was driving today and noticed the rest stop near hear has been shut down.
Curious I went online and found out this is permanent.
There will also be no more trash pick up, trees cut etc on the federal highways here.

This really sucks when you have to go pee! Truckers will have no where to pull over and rest. It is sad to see something you always expect to just vanish. It is really sad.
They cut money from our schools, now the roads, yet we were supposed to get this stimulas money for our schools and roads? Makes no sense!

www.azstarnet.com...www.tucsoncitizen.com...

[edit on 26-10-2009 by amatrine]

[edit on 26-10-2009 by amatrine]

reply to post by amatrine

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I think it is a good idea to close them down. I never understood why we have had them at all for the last 20 years. Exits with gas stations or restraunts are not that far apart, and if there is a need for a long stretch someone will setup a pay as you go porta potty and make a few bucks.

Actually I do not see how they can NOT make money on them . Shoot, charge for the toilet, get the snack machines out there. Of course anything government run can not make money,lol

A lot of places around here will not let you use the restroom unless you are customer.

Obviously - you haven't driven across the Arizona desert.

Especially - with children in the car.

reply to post by amatrine

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Well it is the govment and they probably pay the janitors like 100k a year with the best benefits ever.

reply to post by Annee

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Well if you are in the desert can't you just pull over and go all natural.

The only ones I can see that need to stay open are along I10. That is one lonely stretch of interstate.

I40 really doesn't need them as there are plenty of truck stops and gas stations.

reply to post by MarciaBrady

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And use what to wipe? Sand? Cactus?

reply to post by badkarma90

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Just carry some toilet paper in the car with you. I guess now toilet paper from the government is a god given human right.

Uh huh - and you've driven 8 from SW AZ to San Diego?

Anyone been to the facilities at the Chevron station and Jacumba?

I drive SW AZ to Los Angeles about every two weeks. Sometimes I take the 10 - sometimes the 8.

Both are are a long stretch of nothing.

[edit on 27-10-2009 by Annee]

reply to post by Annee

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I don't recall ever taking 8.

Either way, they need to keep rest stops with restrooms opened on those highways. At the very least keep rest stops without the restrooms. There needs to be a place for people to pull over when they are tired.

Oh yeah - single woman in car with toddler in car seat. Yeah - just pull over any where.

I don't need a rest stop. I need to pee. And kids in car need to pee.

I drive this every two weeks.

lol, yep. Its a loooong way in between exits in some areas..

reply to post by Annee

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Carry a an empty liter bottle.

They are wide mouthed and can carry a liter of pee.

Not even funny. I'm 63. No such thing as a rest stop when I was a kid.

I expect a small bit of progress.

reply to post by Annee

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It was a little funny.

No trash pickup along the roads. That is it, the final sign that the # has hit the fan and it's being blown back in our faces.

Sell all you have and stock up on survival food.

NO. Not really.

Especially if you have to pee and the rest stop is closed.

Remember I drive this every two weeks.