More than $30 million has been awarded for the construction of 260 new truck parking spaces across three states as part of a Department of Transportation program.
The funding was announced by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and allocated through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program. The spots will be built in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
$17,897,842 of the awarded funds will go towards repurposing two closed rest areas in Ohio – one on Interstate 70 near New Paris will see 100 truck parking spots, while the other shuttered rest area on Interstate 80 near Hubbard will see 38 new truck parking spaces.
$12,500,000 of the award will replace Rest Area 51 Maribel and Rest Area 52 Denmark along Interstate 43 in Wisconsin, increasing truck parking spaces by 72. The rest areas will also see improved lighting, truck access, and real-time parking information.
An Interstate 80 widening project already in place will also add 50 new truck parking spaces in the Reno-Sparks area in 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 ATA is also looking to get the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act approved, which would create a federal grant program dedicating $755 million to truck parking expansion.