Back in the 50s when the Interstate was being built, rest areas were provided for the weary travelers about every 60 miles or so. And, at the time, they were essential since the Interstate ran mainly through farm land. But that was over 50 years ago and times have changed.

A few years back, a new Interstate project required the removal of a rest area near Grand Rapids in order to make room for an off ramp. No one really missed the rest area because there was a Meijer’s (regional grocery chain) just a mile down the road.

Besides being open 24 hours a day and having clean bathroom facilities, the store offers more than any rest area. And besides, Meijers welcomed the opportunity to bring new customers into their store.

This got me to thinking about the other rest areas in the area and to question just how needed they are. The rest area near Lake Odessa is nice but there is a full service truck stop just 3 miles further down the road. Likewise, the Portland rest area and the Grand Ledge rest area are just three miles before a 24 hour truck stop. So, it would seem to me that we could dispense with all three of these rest areas.

While I can’t address all of the rest areas in the state, it would seem to me that maybe it is time to review these locations and close them down if it makes sense.