After hearing from the public, the Virginia Department of Transportation is revising its plans to cut services.

VDOT Commissioner David Ekern still recommends having the majority of rest areas on Interstate 81 close. The residencies in Luray and Verona would still close as well.

John Welker's been driving his truck for four years.

He says, "It's kind of shocking really."

He found out Wednesday VDOT's planning to close the rest areas at mile marker 232 along with 17 others in Virginia, including a rest area near New Market.

VDOT originally proposed closing 25 rest areas in the Commonwealth earlier this year.

"You try not to use the facilities of the customer," says Welker. "So, I'm going from Richmond to Harrisonburg, this is perfect."

However, it may not be here for long.

People turned out at public meetings across Virginia, concerned about the proposed cuts.

"The new VDOT plan still is hitting I-81 the heaviest," says Jenifer Jackson, vice-chair of the Virginia Hospitality and Travel association. "I-81 is a heavily traveled road with a lot of trucks, and we feel like we are being targeted by the state."

Virginia faces a $2.6-billion transportation funding shortfall and the new proposal for rest areas is expected to save $9 million annually.

The department would also cut ferry service, mowing and safety service patrols. Even though the department may keep a few more of these rest areas open, drivers like Welker are still concerned.

"Coming up 81, and you close two or three of [the rest areas], you've got to go through almost the whole state without a rest," says Welker.

A final decision has not yet been made about the rest areas. The Commonwealth Transportation Board is going to meet again next month to decide whether or not to adopt VDOT's recommendations.

By July, VDOT plans to cut another 316 positions in its effort to close that $2.6-billion shortfall.