Washington, D.C. — The federal government is deploying a portion of a $4.2 billion infrastructure package to fund 260 new truck parking spaces across key freight corridors. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that the capital comes from two discretionary grant programs: the National Infrastructure Project Assistance grant and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant, both backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This infrastructure push supports 44 distinct initiatives nationwide designed to upgrade highway safety, improve freight mobility, and spur economic growth through bridge construction, port expansion, and interchange redesigns.
Finding a secure place to park remains one of the toughest daily hurdles for an OTR truck driver navigating tight schedules and strict FMCSA regulations. The new capital tackles this shortage directly by converting closed facilities and expanding existing rest areas. In Ohio, an allocation of $17.9 million will repurpose two shuttered rest stops in Trumbull and Preble Counties. The eastbound Interstate 70 site near New Paris will add 100 parking stalls, while the Interstate 80 eastbound location near Hubbard will provide 38 slots. Both properties will feature video surveillance systems and connect directly to the state Truck Parking Information Management System to deliver real-time capacity updates to drivers on the road.
Wisconsin is channeling $12.5 million into Manitowoc County to revamp the Maribel Rest Area 51 and the Denmark Rest Area 52 along Interstate 43. This project delivers new buildings, maintenance garages, and 72 additional truck parking spots alongside roadway reconstruction, upgraded lighting, and pavement repairs integrated with the state real-time information network. Meanwhile, out west in Washoe County, a $275 million endeavor on Interstate 80 between Vista Boulevard and USA Parkway will widen the highway in both directions, improve shoulders, and incorporate 50 brand-new truck parking spaces into the layout.
What This Means for Drivers
CDL-A drivers and independent owner-operators face a daily scramble to secure legal parking before running out of hours. These added stalls directly reduce the time wasted circling packed lots or burning driving clock looking for a safe spot to sleep. Real-time digital updates integrated into these new facilities help drivers plan their rest breaks accurately without guessing if a lot has open capacity. Fleet managers and long-haul professionals can factor these reliable rest stops into their dispatch schedules to maintain compliance and avoid dangerous fatigue.
Industry Reaction
Todd Spencer, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, welcomed the announcement while emphasizing the severity of the ongoing shortage. Speaking for thousands of small business truckers, Spencer noted that the lack of secure parking forces drivers into an impossible choice between violating federal Hours-of-Service rules or pulling over onto dangerous highway shoulders and abandoned lots. Industry groups continue to push for broader federal investment to solve a problem that has compromised highway safety for decades.
Key Points
- The federal government is funding 260 new truck parking spaces using discretionary grants backed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- Ohio receives $17.9 million to convert two closed rest areas into modern facilities offering 138 total spaces with real-time digital tracking.
- Wisconsin invests $12.5 million along Interstate 43 to overhaul two rest areas, adding 72 parking stalls and updated maintenance structures.
- Nevada allocates a portion of a $275 million Interstate 80 project in Washoe County to construct 50 new truck parking spots.
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