Stop, rest, read my ad

TEXAS – One day, you might take a break at the Kodak Rest Stop.  Or you might need to check your route at the Bobby’s Big Burgers Travel Information Center.

That’s the next step for raising money for state coffers: to commercialize and privatize by selling advertising sponsorships for the public roadways.

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved a rule change enabling the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to accept private donations to pay for roadside upkeep. Signs will acknowledge businesses and organizations along sponsored roadways.

TxDOT currently oversees 78 safety rest areas and 12 travel information centers in Texas that could benefit from the program.

The sponsorship program, expected to launch spring 2013, could provide up to $3.5 million annually in additional revenue.

With the approval of the sponsorship program, TxDOT can now accept and acknowledge private-sector donations for various highway-related services including litter pick-up, mowing services, vegetation management and maintenance at the state’s travel information centers and safety rest areas.

“Our roadsides and safety rest areas are some of the first sights for millions of out-of-state travelers, and as such, we must continue to maintain them and uphold the beauty of the Lone Star State,” said Chairman Ted Houghton of the Texas Transportation Commission.