Iowa considers closing half of state's rest stops

The Iowa Department of Transportation is considering a plan to close half of the state's rest stop areas.

The proposal would save the state $30 million over the next 20 years. It would close 11 full-service rest areas as well as all 16 parking only spots.

The rest area they want to close were based on set criteria. Truck parking was one of the biggest things they looked at.

The DOT is teaming up with several states across the Interstate 80 corridor to develop a real-time truck parking availability system.

"What that system is finding ways to look at all the truck parking spots along that corridor and making those available to truck drivers as they're traveling down I-80 so they know what parking spaces lie ahead," explained Andrea Henry.

Nothing about the plan is final yet and the DOT is still a few years out from implementing it. They are asking for public feedback on their