SMOKEY POINT — They’re back.
Highway signs are in place again at I-5 rest areas in Smokey Point letting drivers know a free cup of coffee may be available there.
State transportation workers uncovered signage Thursday to replace lighted signs that broke down last year.
Identical signs will be installed at 11 other rest stops around the state by the end of the month, according to a state Department of Transportation official.
“I’m happy. These are important for the nonprofits and it is a nice service the state can do for a weary traveler,” said Sen. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, whose legislative district includes the northbound rest stop.
Under the state-managed “Free Coffee” program, qualified nonprofit groups sign up to staff a kiosk a couple days at a time. The groups earn money through donations. They must be on-site for every hour they sign up for — including through the night.
The new signs say “Free Coffee” and “Volunteer Program.” The purpose of adding “volunteer program” is to let drivers know the site might not have someone there when they pull off, according to Barbara LaBoe, a department spokeswoman.
Washington has 48 safety rest areas of which 37 have volunteers typically serving coffee on the weekends.
The 13 sites receiving the new signs are ones where volunteers show up at least 75 percent of the weekends and many weekdays. Some areas are so popular, like those at Smokey Point, that here’s a lottery system to sign up for the time slots.
Groups are allowed to offer drinks and some snacks like cookies without charging. Donation cans are always nearby.
Many groups report donations have declined since the state took down signs in 2012 for safety concerns. Without a sign, drivers don’t know coffee is available and thus don’t pull off, members of nonprofits have said.
Smokey Point was the only place with lighted signs which volunteers could switch on and off from the kiosk. When they broke, it was decided to not replace them when they broke down.
Earlier this year Pearson introduced a bill requiring all signs be put up where they were taken down. He acted after a constituent told him nonprofit and service groups volunteering at Smokey Point saw their donations plummet when those signs went away.
After learning of the state agency’s plans to put up signage at some rest stops, Pearson stopped pursuing the bill. But he made clear he might bring it back next year if the transportation department didn’t follow through.
In addition to rest areas in Smokey Point, the state will install new signs at rest areas on I-5 north of Fife, south of Olympia and near Vancouver; on I-90 near Ellensburg and Spokane; and on U.S. 2 west of Leavenworth.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
