Trucker rest areas once plagued with crime to reopen

ST. GEORGE — Seven rest areas for truckers that were closed because of crime and illicit sex are being reopened, and officials say it will be different this time.

One of the rest areas is on Interstate 95 just south of St. George. It was one of a dozen rest areas the state closed in 2001 after ongoing complaints of drug dealing and prostitution.

This year's state budget includes $723,000 to reopen seven rest areas. The state will spend $85,600 each year on lights and maintenance.

The other rest areas that will be reopened are:

-- I-95 in Jasper County, northbound and southbound, about four miles south of Ridgeland at mile marker 17, to open in mid-March.

-- I-20 in Aiken County, eastbound and westbound, about 20 miles east of North Augusta at mile marker 20, to open in early April.

-- I-20 in Darlington County, eastbound and westbound, about 12 miles west of Florence at mile marker 129, also to open in early April.

Read more in Saturday's edition of The Post and Courier.