GDOT wants a private partner to develop a program to help cover the costs of operating and maintaining its 17 rest stops, and possibly nine welcome centers as well, by selling advertising and corporate sponsorships, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported.

During Fiscal Year 2008, GDOT spent $4.5 million on janitorial and landscaping services for rest areas and welcome centers. But the agency was forced to cancel those contracts last year for lack of funds, said Chip Meeks, the department's innovative finance administrator for the GDOT division in charge of public/private partnerships. The department closed two rest areas last August because of the budget woes.

"We're looking for a way to keep maintaining nice, clean restrooms," Meeks said.

Since last year's cutbacks, GDOT staff have been used to maintain rest areas and welcome centers.

Meeks said the idea of advertising at rest areas and welcome centers evolved from several existing GDOT programs. For years, the department has sold ads on blue signs along freeways that alert motorists of the hotels, restaurants, and gas stations available at the next exit.

Selling ads at rest areas and welcome centers could bring in more than $1.4 million per year, according to a report put together for GDOT by McRae Communications. The report envisions placing ads in kiosks, backlit electronic posters, TV wall monitors, and even on containers of hand sanitizer. But by far the most lucrative advertising format would be selling wireless Internet sponsorships, ads that travelers would watch on their laptops in exchange for free Wi-Fi access at the rest stops.

GDOT would like to explore allowing commercial enterprises such as fast-food restaurants and gas stations to operate at rest areas; however federal law generally prohibits states from leasing highway right of way to private businesses along interstates constructed after 1956. Meeks said Georgia and other states are working with AASHTO to convince the federal government to lift its ban on commercialization of rest areas.

Vance Smith, GDOT commissioner, will lead a discussion at AASHTO's Spring Meeting next month in Natchez, MS, regarding the commercialization of rest areas. The roundtable is scheduled to take place the morning of May 22. (see related story for more information about this year's AASHTO Spring Meeting)