Dateline: October 23, 2003

TxDOT to open new safety rest areas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Donley and Hall County leaders will celebrate the opening of two of the state’s newest safety rest areas next Tuesday, October 28. 

The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. at the southbound facility, located four miles south of Hedley on US 287. The public is invited to attend this ceremony.

“These rest areas are a welcome sight for travelers,” said Craig Clark, TxDOT’s Childress district engineer.  “We love our wide, open spaces in Texas; but those long trips can be dangerous for fatigued drivers.”

As with other safety rest area projects around the state, TxDOT Maintenance Division architects incorporated design elements unique to the region.  The railroad design theme for the Donley County Safety Rest Area reflects nearby Hedley’s historic role as a point where cattle were loaded onto rail cars for transportation to distant markets. 

Hedley High School graduate, Josh Collins, created the original concept for these facilities.  The concept was turned into reality by Phillip Swager Associates and built by contractor Sedaleo, L.P., of Fort Worth.

Rest areas are important elements of the Texas Department of Transportation’s mission to provide a safe transportation system by offering drivers convenient places to stop in otherwise remote areas.

The new Donley County rest areas feature many amenities to encourage drivers to stop for a break.  Each facility is equipped with two sets of restrooms, drinking fountains, vending machines, a playground, and several picnic arbors. 

Inside the temperature-controlled lobbies, visitors can find information booths to learn more about the surrounding area.  The well-lighted parking lots offer separate car and truck parking, and security cameras provide an extra measure of safety.

The rest areas provide more than comfort for travelers.  They are also safe havens from bad weather. The facilities feature interior storm shelters, and kiosks provide travelers with information about weather conditions.