The rest stops on the 570-mile Thruway system are about to get a major upgrade. Construction will begin later this month on a $300 million overhaul of the New York State Thruway's 27 rest areas, which will be financed by the facilities' new leaseholder, Irish convenience store chain Applegreen. The rest stops offer bathrooms, gas stations and a variety of food and beverages options for motorists and haven’t been fully renovated since the 1990s. Applegreen will spend $450 million -- $300 million on the overhaul plus $150 million for upkeep and rent -- in exchange for the right to operate the facilities and keep the vast majority of the revenue from their restaurants and shops.