14 THE VA, U+D°U-B OO N@0B Ube ee 
The Rest Area Program for Illinois Highways: 
Designed With Special Values In Mind 
by GEORGE E. SCHUPPE 
Since 1963, the Illinois Division of Highways has been developing a com- 
prehensive system of rest areas on the Interstate and Primary highways. 
Because Interstate rest areas differ substantially from those on the Primary 
routes, we actually have two separate systems to consider. 
A total of 27 pairs of rest areas will be featured as an integral part 
of the 1,631-mile Federal Aid Interstate Highway network in Illinois. In 
planning the Illinois Interstate System, an evaluation of our anticipated 
rest area needs indicated that the Interstate motorist would best be served 
by locating facilities approximately every fifty miles, or one hour’s driving 
time apart along a given route. 
Interstate rest areas will occur in pairs and will be positioned so 
that the motorist first encounters the facility serving his direction of 
travel and then the facility serving opposing traffic. (Such an arrangement 
will eliminate any desire that a motorist would have to cross the divided 
roadways.) Interstate rest areas will provide the motorist with complete 
comfort facilities. Geometric designs for the entrance and exit ramps are 
generous and liberal, providing the user with safe and ready access to and 
egress from the rest areas. The size and capacity of the parking areas are 
determined by the projected traffic volumes on the adjacent highway. 
Passenger vehicle parking will be separated from other vehicle parking, 
while ramps and roadways will compliment and blend into the topography 
of the various sites. 
Complete, modern comfort facilities will be housed in attractive, well- 
designed, heated buildings. Additional building features will include 
information or bulletin boards and drinking fountains. The entire rest 
area will be landscaped and will contain picnic tables and disposal con- 
tainers. The ramps, parking lot, and areas around the rest area will be 
illuminated to insure safe night-time usage by all motorists. 
This state-built rest stop is in Johnson County, just north of New Burnside. 
