Mount Sidney rest area among 18 to close July 21

The Mount Sidney rest areas along Interstate 81 are among the 18 that will close July 21, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

VDOT began posting electronic message signs at each of the affected facilities Monday. It has also updated its Web site and 511 traveler information system.

Parking restrictions on truck drivers will also be scaled back beginning July 21. No parking signs at the remaining 23 rest areas and welcome centers will be removed to provide more than 225 legal truck parking spaces to offset, VDOT said, the total num-ber of truck parking spaces lost with the closed facilities. VDOT also plans to remove signs that had restricted vehicles to two-hour parking limits.

VDOT says truck drivers will now be able to get their man-dated, 10-hours of rest in Vir-ginia’s rest areas. The new truck parking rules only limit parking for an entire overnight period. For trucks arriving at a rest area before sundown must leave prior to sunrise the following day. Those trucks arriving at a rest area during the night or early morning hours must leave prior to sunrise the following full day.

The I-66 West Manassas Welcome Center will remain open through the summer travel season, since it was the only welcome center impacted by these closures. VDOT will close the I-66 Welcome Center on Sept. 16.

VDOT recommended in February a series of reductions to address a $2.6 billion revenue shortfall.