The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded Ohio, Nevada, and Wisconsin more than $30 million in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Program grants to create 260 new truck parking spaces.
Ohio was awarded $17.9 million to repurpose two closed rest areas, one on I-70 and one on I-80, as truck parking facilities. Collectively, this will create more than 138 spaces.
Wisconsin was awarded $12.5 million to replace the Rest Area 51 Maribel and the Rest Area 52 Denmark facilities along I-43 in Manitowoc County. This will increase parking capacity by 72 spaces.
Nevada will add 50 truck parking spaces as part of an I-80 widening project.
“The chronic lack of truck parking poses a danger to the public, impedes the efficiency of our supply chain and harms truckers’ wellbeing,” Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations (ATA) president and CEO, said. “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.”
ATA has made expanding truck parking one of highest priorities. The organization supported the inclusion of $200 million for truck parking in this year’s House Appropriations bill.