Washington—The American Trucking Associations applauded the award of over $30 million that will be used to construct 260 new truck parking spaces. This funding announced by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will make it easier for truck drivers to locate parking along key freight corridors in Ohio, Wisconsin and Nevada.
“The chronic lack of truck parking poses a danger to the public, impedes the efficiency of our supply chain and harms truckers’ wellbeing. We appreciate Secretary Buttigieg’s commitment to addressing this serious issue by supporting the decisions of Ohio, Wisconsin and Nevada to embed truck parking projects in their transportation plans,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “When drivers finish their shift, they deserve to know that they will be able to find a safe place to sleep that night. Congress can be a part of the solution by building on this investment and voting to pass the $200 million for truck parking included in this year’s appropriations bill.”
The funding stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was allocated through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program. Combined with previous awards to California Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, the announcement brings the total number of truck parking projects supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to 14, encompassing roughly 2,000 additional spaces.
The INFRA funding was awarded as follows:
- Ohio – A $17,897,842 grant will repurpose two closed rest areas as new truck parking facilities. One facility on I-70 near New Paris will create 100 spaces, and the other on I-80 near Hubbard will create 38 spaces. Over a one-year period, over 1,000 trucks were forced to park in undesignated spots within a few miles of these locations. The project will entail video surveillance, and the parking areas will be added to the Truck Parking Information Management System, providing real-time parking information to drivers.
- Wisconsin – A $12,500,000 grant will replace both the Rest Area 51 Maribel and Rest Area 52 Denmark facilities along I-43 in Manitowoc County, which will increase truck parking capacity by 72 spaces. The project will also improve lighting and access for trucks as well as provide real-time parking information.
- Nevada – As part of an I-80 widening project in the Reno-Sparks area, Nevada DOT will add 50 new truck parking spaces.
Increasing funding to expand truck parking is one of highest priorities for ATA, which recently produced a video describing the challenges and solutions for the truck parking shortage. ATA strongly supported the inclusion of $200 million for truck parking in this year’s House Appropriations bill and is pushing Congress to approve this legislation. ATA also sent a letter calling on all 50 state governors to make room for truck parking in their infrastructure spending priorities.
ATA is championing the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—introduced by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) and Representatives Mike Bost (R-Illinois) and Angie Craig (D-Minnesota)—which would create a $755 million federal grant program dedicated to truck parking expansion.
source:https://www.trucking.org
