Looking northeast at new area on 
1-55 near Sherman in Sangamon County. 
To date, one pair of rest areas is completed and in use on Interstate 
55 where this route by-passes Springfield. Grading and paving of ramps 
and parking areas has been completed at four additional rest area locations: 
I-57, near Pesotum, Champaign County; I-74, east of Goodfield, Woodford 
County; I-80, west of Minooka, Grundy County, and I-80, west of Princeton, 
Bureau County. Construction of the rest area buildings at these locations 
is programmed for 1967. As in other phases of the Interstate highway 
development, the Federal Government is participating in 90 per cent 
of the cost. 
Motorists in Illinois have long been familiar with the one and two 
table roadside rest stops that exist along the Primary (non-Interstate) 
Highway System. Prior to 1962, there were approximately 350 of these 
sites situated on existing, available—and often inadequate—right-of-way 
areas. In 1962, the Division of Highways developed a comprehensive rest 
area plan which included the ultimate locations of all Primary rest areas 
to be developed within the State. This plan provides for rest areas spaced 
approximately forty miles or one hour’s driving time apart on the major 
Primary routes. Exceptions to this standard were made to include locations 
or areas with outstanding scenic views, terrain, topographic or botanical 
features. A total of 272 rest areas were provided for in this plan of 
which 73 were constructed in 1963 and 1964. 
In 1965, the Highway Beautification Act, plus an amendment to the 
Illinois Highway Code, provided an unanticipated impetus for the im- 
plementation of the Primary rest area program. About $1.5 million of 
the approximately $3 million received by Illinois in 1965 was designated 
and used to develop the Primary rest area system. The State amendment 
has enabled the division of highways to acquire land for these new rest 
areas, and now 39 rest areas have been designed and are under construction. 
An additional 33 will be constructed satis monies received from the current 
Federal appropriation. 
These new Primary areas will have vault-type comfort facilities, in- 
formation boards, picnic tables, and trash containers. The entrances, exits, 
parking areas and roadways serving these rest areas will be surfaced and 
constructed to safe, generous geometric standards to insure the safe 
operation of vehicles entering, leaving, and within the sites. Attractive 
locations having scenic views, desirable vegetation, or other outstandng 
characteristics have been acquired wherever possible. The rest areas 
will be landscaped to enhance their beauty and increase their attractiveness. 
—Department of Public Works and Buildings, Springfield, Il. 
