Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Pamela Boratyn announced a new plan on July 29 to address the shortage of safe, accessible commercial-truck parking.
The $150 million plan would add at least 1,400 new truck parking spaces statewide.
ODOT conducted a review of ODOT property and identified 33 sites in 17 counties where long-term truck parking lots will be created or expanded. This more than doubles the current truck parking capacity at ODOT-maintained sites.
“Ohio’s new truck parking plan is a major step forward in improving safety for truck drivers and everyone on the road,” Boratyn said. “These projects will make our state a national leader in total truck parking capacity—setting the standard for safety and service.”
Since 2015, there have been 689 crashes in Ohio caused by drowsy semi-truck drivers. The crashes resulted in 345 injuries and two fatalities. Once the project is completed, Ohio will have more long-term truck parking spaces available on state-owned property than any other state, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
Construction will begin next year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The sites will include lighting and restroom facilities.
Ohio is within a day’s drive of 60 percent of the population of the United States and Canada.