Listeners to Swift 98 and The Spur’s morning show shared the opinions on rest area closures as part of Wednesday’s Text-In Topic segment.

Hosts of the Weekday Wake-up, Duke Dance and Dahl Erickson, asked listeners if they agreed or disagreed with the decision to close ten rest areas in Wyoming, including the Thayne location, in an effort to save money in the WYDOT budget.

According to WYDOT, closing the facilities would save the state just under $800,000 annually.

Are the savings worth the closures? That’s the question asked to listeners.  Below are the responses. Add your opinion in the comments.

In favor of closure

“It is just a drop in the bucket, but it is a drop in the bucket. There will be more cuts coming down the road because we need many more drops to fill the bucket.”

“I would rather see the rest stops closed than snow plow services cut on the highways this winter.”

“These are near towns, where local businesses hope to serve travelers. When we travel, we try to stop at local businesses, and be sure to buy at least a drink and a treat as well as use the facilities.”

“Close it! According to the movie something about Mary, nothing good happens there anyway.”

Not in favor of closure

“Being a scenic byway I would think it would be a law to have facilities for the public so the local businesses don’t get slammed. Bad idea!!”

“I used to clean the rest area outside of Thayne for 6 years and it gets used a lot With out the rest areas where will the tour buses go and the truck drivers it’s not fair to them And it’s not fair for the small businesses who are barely making it to have to take the burden from the rest areas being closed and the litter of toilet paper blowing across the road is going to be gross.”

“They close the rest area to save $800,000 they will pay more than that to clean up what people will just throw on the ground or do behind the trees or bushes.”

“Leave it open. Just one more thing so the truck driver have no where to go to the bathroom. And be able to park for the breaks that they need to take.”

“Keep open. Not even a drop in the bucket.”

“I disagree with the closures I feel that as many drivers do you need a place to pull over and rest or whatever I actually just drove by the one here in Star Valley and at 7:30 AM there was already four vehicles in the parking lot this rest area in star Valley is used a lot.”

“I don’t think that closings the rest stops is a good idea. Wyoming is wide open country and we need to stop and take a break. It’s a matter of safety on the highways!”

“Our rest stop in Thayne is used by many of us. I’m devastated. It’s not an everyday thing , but sure handy when you need it.”