Conn. to overhaul highway rest areas, bucking national cost-cutting trend of closing plazas

Conn. to overhaul rest stops, bucking US trend

MILFORD, Conn. — As many states close rest stops to save money, Connecticut is bucking the trend with the first overhaul of its service plazas in decades.

Twenty-three rest stops along Interstates 95 and 395 and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross parkways will be upgraded over the next several years, with construction starting this spring.

It’s part of a deal between the state and Project Service LLC, a joint venture of the Subway food chain’s parent company and a private equity group.

Project Service is spending $178 million to overhaul the plazas and add Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts and other offerings. Some buildings will be renovated and others will be replaced.