Virginia to close over half its Interstate Rest Areas

New Market Rest Area ? Open 24/7 at Mile marker ? 262. Just one of twenty five to close. Arlington, VA. -- Despite receiving $694.5 million for highway projects in the federal stimulus package, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is planning to close 25 of the state's 42 Interstate Highway Rest Areas. VDOT's Statewide Safety Rest Area and Welcome Center Master Plan Draft states that "the presence of safety rest areas has a direct correlation to a reduction in the number of shoulder stop and driver fatigue related accidents."