Roadside rest areas.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of all state highways and associated property. Existing law provides for the planning, design, and construction of a system of safety roadside rest areas on the state highway system, which is maintained by the department. Existing law authorizes up to 6 additional rest areas to be developed as joint economic development demonstration projects. This bill would authorize the department to enter into one or more agreements for the operation of safety roadside rest areas by private entities in conjunction with the development of a retail establishment, under which certain payments would be made to the state. The bill would authorize the department to seek modification of existing real estate contracts if that would be cost effective for the state. The bill would specify the requirements for these agreements and would require the department to seek any federal waivers that may be necessary to implement these provisions.