The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) rolled out plans for a project to significantly increase truck parking statewide in the coming years.
On December 6, CTDOT announced a $31 million project to increase the state’s public truck parking capacity by 44%.
The project will focus adding 180 truck parking spaces over five key locations in Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon. This will increase Connecticut’s current 420 public truck parking spaces to about 600 spaces.
Officials say that the first phase of the project is underway at the Middletown rest area located on northbound I-91, where 11 truck parking spaces will be added.
The rest of the truck parking expansion project will be completed in phases over the next several years.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park along state highways,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, who keep our economy moving.”
“The Motor Transport Association of CT wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on,” said Motor Transport Association of CT (MTAC) President John Blair. “The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer.”
“In Connecticut and nationally, truck parking shortages are a major safety concern,” said John McAvoy, division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration’s Connecticut Division. “With the projected growth in e-commerce and truck traffic, the demand for truck parking will continue to outpace the supply of public and private parking facilities and will only increase the truck parking problems experienced in Connecticut. It is essential that commercial truck drivers have access to safe, secure and accessible truck parking.”