Date:  Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
Doug Pierce, Safety Rest Areas Program Manager (360) 705-7812 (Olympia)

OLYMPIA–The Maytown and Scatter Creek safety rest areas south of Olympia are now open following the completion of a six-month project to upgrade the facilities and their sewer and water systems.

The $8.5 million project improved the parking and recreational vehicle dump stations at both rest areas and connected the facilities to the local sewer system. In years past, the facilities had experienced closures due to aging septic systems.

Visitors will see expanded parking and new fixtures, and the Maytown and Scatter Creek behind-the-scenes environmental upgrades will be a model for other safety rest areas around the state.

“While many of the improvements are unseen to most visitors, they will benefit the environment and extend the ability of the Maytown and Scatter Creek Safety Rest Areas to provide needed services to the traveling public,” said Yvonne Medina, Safety Rest Area Facilities administrator.

Washington operates 42 safety rest areas around the state, with the Olympia-area safety rest areas serve nearly two million visitors annually.

There is still a bit more work to do as WSDOT may need a one-day closure, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20, to complete the sewer systems switchover at Scatter Creek. The dump stations will reopen in February.

WSDOT places a high priority on roadway safety and its Safety Rest Area Program provides drivers safe and convenient facilities. As seen during recent statewide storm events, the safety rest areas are vitally important to the thousands of freight haulers who keep the economy moving.

For more information about WSDOT's safety rest areas, including a statewide list of locations, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/safety/restareas/.

###

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

< Back to News Home