HARTFORD— Governor Ned Lamont announced Friday, June 28, that all seven of the state-operated highway rest area buildings, including indoor restroom facilities, would be opened to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as of July 1, 2019. Funding to return the rest areas to round-the-clock operations was included in the budget the governor signed into law earlier this week.

“While certainly well intentioned, I believe the move to shut our state’s rest areas was penny wise and pound foolish,” Governor Lamont said. “We have to make the necessary investments to attract people to visit and return to our state. This is a small but meaningful step toward making Connecticut more attractive to visitors and our residents alike.”

The state’s seven rest areas — four on I-84, two on I-91, and one on I-95 — are maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT). They are part of a statewide network of facilities, which also include 23 service plazas that are located on interstate highways and the Merritt Parkway and offer parking, food, rest and relief, as well as other amenities.

In the 2019 legislative session, Rep. Allie-Brennan (D-Bethel) co-sponsored a bill that aims to improve the tourist experience for Connecticut visitors. The legislation will have a direct impact on tourism dollars and the businesses and communities they support.

“From July 1st, our Danbury rest area will finally be open to welcome visitors from across the country with improved signage and important information on Connecticut’s tourist attractions.” Rep. Allie-Brennan said. “Thank you to the legislature and Governor Lamont for supporting investment in improving the marketing of our state’s wonderful attractions.”

“My agency has always felt that our seven rest areas are important safety amenities for travelers and truckers,” CTDOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti said. “While I’m proud of the fact that we managed to at least keep them open in the face of financial adversity, our residents and visitors to our state deserve better than portable bathrooms. This has been a long time coming, and I thank Governor Lamont for helping to get us the resources we needed.”

Staffing levels at the facilities had been reduced on October 1, 2016 in response to budget cuts, limiting the seven locations to a one-shift, daytime operation. While the rest areas technically remained “open” around the clock under the scenario, the indoor facilities were closed to the public for the remaining two evening and overnight shifts, necessitating the sole use of outdoor portable restroom facilities during unstaffed hours.

The seven rest areas are in the following locations:

*I-84 Danbury EB past Exit 2

*I-84 Southington EB past Exit 28

*I-84 Willington EB past Exit 69

*I-84 Willington WB past Exit 70

*I-91 Wallingford SB past Exit 15

*I-91 Middletown NB past Exit 19

*I-95 North Stonington SB past Exit 93