PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Transportation announced Monday that 13 rest areas across the state have now officially been shut down.
The closures, which were first announced earlier this month, are the result of ADOT's $100 million budget shortfall that requires reductions in services, highway construction, maintenance and staff.
ADOT Director John Halikowski previously said more than $500 million in transportation funding has been cut in the past year by lawmakers trying to close the huge state budget shortfall.
In early October the department announced plans to shut down the 13 highway rest areas, consider closing 12 Motor Vehicle Division offices, defer $370 million in highway construction projects and cut 10 percent of its staff.
READ THE REVISED BUDGET ROADMAP FROM DIRECTOR HALIKOWSKIADOT officials said five ADOT and more than a dozen non-ADOT rest areas along Arizona's highway system remain open.
Rest Area Closures:
Mohawk, I-8 - 12 miles to Dateland; 26 miles to Wellton
Bouse Wash, I-10 - 7 miles to Vicksburg; 62 miles to Buckeye
Ehrenberg, I-10 - 4 miles to Blythe; 13 miles to Ehernberg
Sacaton, I-10- 3 miles to Casa Grande
San Simon, I-10- 20 miles to rest area near Lordsburg; 9 miles from westbound rest area to San Simon
McGuireville, I-17- 10 miles to Camp Verde, 43 Miles to Flagstaff
Canoa Ranch, I-19- 10 miles to Green Valley
Haviland, I-40- 22 miles to Topock, 28 miles to Kingman
Meteor Crater, I-40- 17 miles to Winslow; 34 miles to Flagstaff
Parks, I-40- 13 miles to Flagstaff
Mazatzal, SR 87- 12 miles to Payson
Salt River Canyon, US 60- 25 miles to Globe
Wickenberg/Hassayampa, US 60 - 6 miles to Wickenburg
The rest areas are now completely inaccessible with all services shut down, but ADOT officials say there will be a presence of ADOT and Department of Public Safety personnel.
To help address the needs of drivers, ADOT said they also will develop a program in partnership with businesses to welcome travelers to stop and use restroom facilities free of charge.
ADOT officials said the closures are part of the department's plan to reduce its use of state highway funds by 25 percent.
A review of which MVD offices will close in Arizona is now also under way.
MVD spokesperson Cydney DeModica says those closures will likely mean a lot longer lines at the remaining offices.
"We'll be redeploying our employees," she said. "Offices that may only have 6 employees now may end up with eight or ten."
Saturday hours will be eliminated on Nov. 1.
The cuts come as a disappointment to customers.
"It was hard enough to find this office," said one man as he left the office at 28th Street & Washington. "If they close this office, who knows where I'll have to go."
DeModica explains because the MVD is tied to voter registration, all the closures have to be approved by the Department of Justice which can take 30 to 90 days.
ADOT officials say they will continue to provide online services offered through
www.ServiceArizona.com and through third-party vendors statewide, giving customers alternatives to visiting a MVD office. To find a third-party office visit
www.az-mvd.com.
ADOT has received $350 million in federal stimulus funding, but state funding for other projects will be cut by $370 million over the next four years.
“Drivers will continue to see projects being built across the state because the federal government sends money to Arizona for highway construction,” Halikowski said. “That money is restricted by federal and state laws to pay for construction activities and cannot be used for general operations, such as MVD services.”
ADOT says the challenge ahead will be as follows:
Arizona must have sufficient state highway money to match federal transportation funding collected through gas taxes. Without matching funds, Arizona risks losing its share of federal funds, meaning gas taxes paid by Arizonans would fund improvements in other states.Do you have a solution to Arizona's budget woes? Click "add a comment" below to soundoff.
