By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The Utah Department of Transportation would like to put a
rest stop in Nephi using the newly developed plan utilizing
existing businesses in the community who will bid for the
privilege.
The new plan calls for the privatization of rest
stops.
John Quick and Daniel Cune, representing UDOT, met
with Nephi City Council members at their Tuesday meeting to
discuss the proposal.
"We are encouraged by the new plan," said Quick. As a
result, UDOT is now considering other stops using the same
development model.
"We can use the funding to create rest stops in the
more remote areas," he said.
Nephi, along with Fillmore, is currently being
considered and UDOT officials, as a first step in the
project, requested time on the agenda at council meeting to
discuss the proposal and to receive comments from council
members.
Cune said new, larger signs advertising the
approaching rest stop were being designed. "The signs we
were using were too small," he said. However, the sign will
not advertise the particular business until the traveler
reaches the business.
Signs indicate the rest stop and direct traffic, but
do not name the business until the area is reached.
The same funding set aside to develop a few rest stops
can be used to greater advantage. As a result, said Quick,
the spacing between rest stops can be reduced from 60 mile
spaces to 35 mile spaces.
Springville was also developed using the new method.
Cove Fort is being readied for opening.
"We receive complaints from tourists that we do not
have enough rest stops in the state," said Quick.
As a result, he said, UDOT completed a rest stop study
in 1990 suggesting rest stops be planned for every 60 miles.
At that time, a seven year plan was adopted to develop 23
new stops and improve the existing ones.
The seven year program was budgeted at $34 million,
mostly in federal funds, but it soon became apparent that
amount would fall far short of accomplishing the goal.
It was determined to reconsider the abandoned rest
stop site near American Fork for redevelopment. Replacing
the site, estimated at $2 million quickly became a $6
million venture. No one was willing to undertake that large
an expenditure.
"It was one of the most heavily used rest stops, but
there are services at every exit," said Quick. "In urban
areas, rest stops incur a high amount of vandalism and
create security problems."
The American Fork rest stop was expensive to maintain
because of such problems. It was costing approximately
$90,000 a year to maintain.
In the East, along the toll road systems, there are
service stations located in the medians. However, the plan
is not approved by the federal transportation department for
use on interstate freeways.
People are reluctant to stop at convenience stores to
use a toilet, for example, unless they purchase
something.
"We decided to look at other ways to develop a rest
stop systems that did not rely on the traditional methods of
development," said Quick. "We decided to consider
privatizing a rest area and then tourists would not feel
compelled to purchase something in order to take advantage
of the stop."
"We were pleasantly surprised to find out that
businesses were willing to participate," he said. "We
developed a pilot program and Flying J made the best bid
proposal."
He said Flying J was willing to continue with the plan
and to establish other rest areas in communities like
Nephi.
Chad Brough, mayor, said he had several concerns. One
of those was that by singling out a business UDOT was
showing and unfair advantage to one company over
another.
"Do you offer any compensation to the business?" he
asked.
Cune said the criteria established by UDOT was not set
to favor one business over another. UDOT does provide some
signing and, as in the case of Cove Fort, is willing to do
some right-of-way work on the road system. However, both
Beaver and Fillmore business people and city councils are
ready to provide the service at no renumeration.
Those service stations and convenience stores near the
freeway do have an advantage. But only those who are really
interested apply.
"I have traveled a lot," said Cune. "I know that once
people are enticed to leave the freeway, other businesses
are noticed and patronized."
Many community councils, he said, wanted to encourage
tourists to leave the freeway and make a trip into the
community.
"It is better for all businesses of the town to get
tourists to come into town rather than to stay on the
freeway and spend money at a vending machine at a rest
stop."
"I don't see why you are even doing Nephi and
Fillmore," said Mike Jones, council member.
The agreement the business owner will sign with UDOT,
said Quick, does allow for the business to back out after
trying the venture for a time. There is an agreement, but
the arrangement makes it easy for the business to get out of
the situation if it is not satisfactory.
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