Dec. 29 – Utah is experimenting with using private businesses to build and maintain its rest stops.

The first experimental partnership is a new rest area along Interstate 15 near Springville. The rest stop is part of a Flying J operation at the intersection with State Route 73.
Other partnerships for the more than 40 highway rest areas in the state are under discussion, with both Flying J and other vendors, according to the Utah Department of Transportation. Flying J reportedly would like to sign rest-stop agreements with the DOT for eight other locations: Nephi, Richfield, Payson, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Willard Bay, Brigham City and Snowville. The DOT also is talking to a Chevron dealer along I-15 near Cove Fort in Millard County, as well as with a private developer for a new rest stop/convenience store complex along U.S. 40.