Washington, D.C. — Federal lawmakers introduced a companion bill in the Senate allocating $755 million over four years to expand commercial truck parking capacity nationwide. Senators Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, and Cynthia Lummis, a Wyoming Republican, sponsored the legislation to mirror a House measure introduced earlier by Representatives Mike Bost and Angie Craig. The legislative push directly targets a chronic deficit of safe resting spaces that complicates operations for OTR truck drivers attempting to manage federal hours-of-service limits.

The Senate proposal incorporates specific criteria absent from the House version, including provisions that prioritize drivers' personal security at designated stops. Furthermore, the measure permits state transportation departments to allocate up to 15 percent of awarded grant funds toward routine maintenance expenses. State officials previously identified maintenance costs as a primary obstacle to building and operating new parking facilities. Funding awards will be distributed through a competitive application process administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, targeting new construction alongside the conversion of existing weigh stations and rest areas into functional commercial vehicle capacity.

Both legislative packages emphasize public-private partnerships, allowing state agencies, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations to collaborate with private travel plazas and truck stops. Natso, the national trade association representing truckstop and travel plaza operators, worked alongside lawmakers to ensure private facilities remain eligible to participate in the grant program. Neither bill permits charging truck drivers fees to park in spaces funded through the legislation. The American Transportation Research Institute recently ranked the lack of available parking as the leading concern for drivers, highlighting the direct link between infrastructure shortfalls and highway safety.

What This Means for Drivers

Finding a secure spot to park for a mandatory ten-hour break remains one of the hardest parts of the job for any CDL-A driver. When rest areas fill up by mid-afternoon, drivers are forced to park on highway ramps or burn precious hours of service searching for a legal space. This legislation aims to fund hundreds of new spaces, which will reduce the daily stress of route planning and help drivers comply with FMCSA regulations without risking their safety on dark shoulders.

Industry Reaction

Industry groups praised the introduction of the Senate bill as a vital step toward securing supply chain efficiency and protecting motorists. American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear emphasized that the nationwide shortage continues to strain freight movement and jeopardize highway safety. Major trucking companies hiring nationwide view the infrastructure push as essential for driver retention, given that chronic fatigue caused by parking hunts drives many qualified professionals out of the industry.

Key Points

• The Senate bill allocates $755 million over four years specifically for commercial truck parking expansion.
• Up to 15 percent of grant funds can be used for routine facility maintenance, addressing a key concern raised by state transportation departments.
• Projects are eligible for public-private partnerships, enabling state and local agencies to work directly with private truck stops and travel plazas.
• The American Transportation Research Institute ranks the lack of parking as the top critical issue facing truck drivers today.

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