A Western Virginia transportation leader wants Virginia to soften a plan to close most rest areas on Interstate 81.

Dana Martin sits on the Commonwealth Transportation Board. He will be present when the board convenes next week to study balancing the transportation budget with what are expected to be major cuts.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has proposed closing all rest areas on Interstate 81 except for one at each end of the state, at Bristol and at Winchester, which are more than 300 miles apart.

The plan, part of a strategy to save $2.6 billion during the next six years, would close 11 rest areas on I-81 and 14 in other parts of the state this summer.

In an interview Wednesday, Martin said he sees two variations. He intends to urge the state to close only nine rest areas and operate four along I-81's length, versus two in the state's plan.

Here are the two ideas.

Toward the northern end of I-81, operate the northbound and southbound rest areas either at New Market (mile marker 262) or Mt. Sidney (mile marker 232). Toward the southern end, operate both the northbound and southbound rest areas at Radford (mile marker 108). Close all others.

Or, on each end of the state, operate the Bristol and Winchester rest areas. Near the middle of the state, operate the Troutville rest area (mile marker 158 southbound) and Ironto (mile marker 129 northbound). Close all others.

"I expect we're going to at least modify the original proposal. I've got nothing to justify that other than my faith in the wisdom and sense of this administration," Martin said.

Board member James Davis, representing the Staunton region, said he shares Martin's confidence the original plan will be revised.

Davis said VDOT Commissioner David Ekern "is making some revisions" that board members expect to see Wednesday in Richmond when they meet to discuss proposed cuts in transportation services.

The matter is expected to come up for a vote in June.

James Keen, a resident of Vansant who represents rural interests on the transportation board, said he agrees with the concept of a more limited rest stop closure.

"But, what else we do cut?" he asked. "How many more people do we have to cut to keep them open?"

By closing slightly fewer rest areas than first proposed, the savings is less but "we can accomplish a whole lot," Martin said.