Worcester I-88 Rest Area Re-Opens; Wells Bridge Next

On Thursday, State Senator James Seward joined officials with the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Office of General Services to reopen the fully rehabilitated Worcester rest area on Interstate 88 eastbound between exits 18 and 19. The officials also announced the parking area at the Wells Bridge rest area on I-88 westbound in Unadilla has also reopened, with construction on a facility rehabilitation scheduled for next year. In 2010, the DOT closed six rest areas on interstate highways in what was announced as a cost saving measure. Senator Seward objected to the closings and joined local officials and transportation advocates to press for their reopening. To date, only the Worcester and Wells Bridge rest stops have reopened. The 2014-2015 state budget included funding secured by Senator Seward to restore and reopen the Worcester rest area. Senator Seward secured an additional $2.5 million in the 2015-2016 state budget to perform work at the Wells Bridge rest area.