A Virginia congressman is asking Gov. Tim Kaine to reconsider plans to close 19 interstate rest areas this month.

Rep. Frank Wolf said in a letter Friday that he's concerned about the safety of motorists if the areas are closed.

He says fatigued long-haul truckers will be forced to drive extra miles before they can take a break.

Transportation officials struggling with a $2.6 billion budget shortfall expect closing the rest areas to save $9 million a year.

Wolf says the state needs a plan to pay for its transportation needs, and urges the governor to take steps to remedy that.

He says he suggested in December that Kaine appoint a bipartisan commission to make recommendations on how to meet Virginia's transportation needs.