Pulling Over For A Rest And A Burger Oregon May Allow Commercial Businesses Such As Mcdonald’s At Public Rest Areas

Heading down the freeway and hungry for a Big Mac? Travelers in Oregon may have to only look for the nearest public rest area to find the familiar Golden Arches.

The state Department of Transportation is considering turning over operation of 102 highway rest areas to private businesses, such as McDonald’s or Burger King.

Critics are concerned that commercialization could ruin the ambience of the 49 state parks that are part of the rest area system. But state officials, searching for new ways of revenue in a time of severe budget restrictions, believe that the businesses could be operated in a restrained, tasteful manner.

Truck stop operators and other businesses that benefit from motorists are concerned about the potential for unfair competition.

“Private people come to us and say you’ll hurt us badly if you allow McDonald’s or Burger King in there,” said Bob Davis, a transportation specialist for the Federal Highway Administration.

But with budget cuts leading to the proposed closure of 63 state parks, something has to be done to boost revenue, officials say.

Allowing commercial operation of rest areas would require changes in state and federal law. This summer, the transportation department will solicit public comment on the idea. If the public response is positive, the plan could go to the Legislature next year.

“What we’d like to do is to get to the point where rest areas pay for themselves,” said Doug Tindall, a Department of Transportation field services engineer.

“We’ll go out and ask the public what they think. We’re still on the cusp of this, and we don’t know what the public wants.”

Other options for commercial enterprises at the rest areas include convenience stores or gasoline stations. Or there could be promotional, educational or recreational activities, state officials said.

The idea would be to save the state some of the $9.2 million it spends annually to clean and supply rest areas.

An informal survey at the Holman Wayside near Salem came up with mixed opinions.

“It may get people off the road to take a walk break, and create a safer environment for more people,” said Joe Lodge, who lives in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

But Bruce Kahler, a Salem truck driver, said he didn’t think many people would stop at a rest area to eat out of fear that someone would try to assault them.

Terry Anderson of Silverton said the sight of fast-food chains at state rest areas wouldn’t bother him at all.

“It’s a good idea, as long as they can do it without raising taxes,” he said. “I’m sick and tired of them raising taxes.”

The state Parks and Recreation Commission would have to approve the change, and at least one member was cool to the idea.

“Privatization is an option we’ll consider, but I don’t think people want their parks commercialized,” commissioner Sara Vickerman said.