Little interest in Ohio rest stop plan

CLEVELAND (AP) - Ohio's plan to commercialize highway rest areas has attracted limited attention from potential developers.

Developers passed on a proposal to turn five rest stops on highways in southeast Ohio into service plazas. Separately, just two companies responded to an Ohio Department of Transportation plan to find sponsors and advertisers for interstate rest areas.

The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports that ODOT is hoping to offset the $50 million yearly cost of maintaining 104 rest stops.

Federal law bars Ohio from commercially developing the 45 rest areas and welcome centers along federal interstates. ODOT can post advertising and seek paying sponsors for them.

ODOT wants to turn some of the 59 other rest areas on state and U.S routes in rural and semi-rural areas into Ohio Turnpike-style service plazas.