The Virginia rest areas closed as a cost-cutting measure, then re-opened by current Gov. Bob McDonnell to make good on a campaign promise are the subject of another budget battle. Actually, all of the the state’s rest areas must find ways to reduce costs. McDonnell has a few ideas of his own, but is waiting for the results of a study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council to identify alternatives to the public funding of the interstate rest areas. Some of the governor’s suggestions include attracting private sponsors and teaming up with tourism organizations.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) is seeking ideas on reducing costs at the state’s 41 rest areas and welcome centers, 19 of which were closed last summer, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Wednesday.

McDonnell reopened the closed rest stops earlier this year, fulfilling a campaign promise.

The annual costs of running the reopened centers, which serve about 30 million people a year, comes to about $9 million, the Times-Dispatch reported.

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