Four Southeast states will add more than 1,000 truck parking spaces through a $200 million federal funding initiative aimed at improving highway safety and freight movement.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded funding for 14 projects in 12 states through its Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) program's Track 2 commercial motor vehicle parking initiative. The awards total approximately $200 million nationwide, according to USDOT.
Projects in Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee will receive a combined $68.4 million to construct new truck parking facilities, expand existing parking areas and improve access to freight corridors.
The investments are intended to address a nationwide shortage of safe truck parking that can lead to drivers stopping along highway shoulders and ramps. Approximately 40 percent of truck drivers spend more than an hour each day searching for parking, according to USDOT.
Arkansas to Build I-49 Rest Area
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will receive $23.024 million to complete final design and construction of a new safety rest area and truck parking facility along future Interstate 49 in Crawford County.
The facility will be located between the Gun Club Road and Clear Creek Road interchanges and accommodate approximately 137 trucks and 49 passenger vehicles.
Construction will include northbound and southbound access ramps, internal one-way circulation roadways, stormwater detention ponds, site utilities and lighting, according to USDOT's INFRA award fact sheet.
The project is intended to provide dedicated parking along the developing I-49 corridor and reduce the safety risks associated with unauthorized shoulder parking.
“ARDOT is pleased to partner with USDOT to construct vital infrastructure projects that impact safety for the traveling public,” said Jared Wiley, ARDOT director.
Georgia Projects Target I-75,Port of Savannah
Georgia will receive funding for two projects designed to expand truck parking along Interstate 75 and near the Port of Savannah.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will receive approximately $13.49 million to add 109 truck parking spaces at two existing public facilities along southbound I-75 in Monroe County: Weigh Station No. 6 and Rest Area No. 22.
The work will take place within GDOT-owned right of way and include upgraded lighting, improved vehicle circulation and additional safety enhancements, according to USDOT.
A separate $11.95 million award to the Georgia Ports Authority will support construction of the Port of Savannah Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking Area in Garden City, adjacent to Georgia State Route 21.
The proposed facility will provide approximately 275 truck parking spaces. Work will include site clearing and grading, storm drainage, paved parking, an access gate, fencing, lighting, security cameras and real-time occupancy sensors connected to mobile applications and electronic signs.
The parking area will be located less than 2 mi. from Gate 4 at the Port of Savannah. The project is intended to reduce truck queues along nearby roadways and keep travel lanes available for other traffic, according to USDOT.
Together, the two Georgia projects will add approximately 384 truck parking spaces.
North Carolina to Expand Port of Wilmington Capacity
The North Carolina State Ports Authority will receive approximately $6 million to construct a truck parking and freight staging facility at the Port of Wilmington in New Hanover County.
The project will provide approximately 140 dedicated commercial motor vehicle parking spaces and 50 container staging positions. Planned improvements include secured operations infrastructure and technology to support reservations and dispatch coordination, according to USDOT.
The facility is intended to serve port drayage operations and long-haul freight carriers, providing secure overnight parking, driver rest facilities, controlled entry and exit and security monitoring.
The project also will support container staging and coordination for import and export shipments. The improvements are expected to reduce unauthorized roadside parking and help freight carriers move containers more efficiently.
The Ports Authority also plans to incorporate technology through its Smart Harbor initiative, according to information reported by Port City Daily.
Tennessee Plans 500 Spaces Along I-40, I-24
Tennessee will receive approximately $23.96 million for a truck parking expansion network along Interstate 40 and Interstate 24 near Nashville and Knoxville.
The Greater Nashville Regional Council will use the funding to expand parking at five Pilot Travel Center locations in Rutherford, Wilson and Knox counties. The projects will accommodate approximately 500 trucks, according to USDOT.
The parking areas will be available free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will include driver amenities.
Planned improvements include monitored parking spaces and camera-based real-time occupancy detection linked to navigation applications. The project also will use automated video surveillance analytics, according to the federal award fact sheet.
The network is intended to address parking shortages at major freight bottlenecks, reduce roadside and ramp parking and help drivers comply with hours-of-service requirements.
Addressing Regional Freight Challenge
The four states' projects reflect different approaches to expanding truck parking, from a new interstate rest area and improvements to existing highway facilities to dedicated parking and staging areas serving major seaports.
The awards are part of USDOT's broader effort to improve the availability of safe public truck parking along key freight corridors. The department said the nationwide investment is expected to reduce fatigue-related crashes, improve supply chain efficiency and reduce costs associated with drivers searching for available spaces.
The INFRA Track 2 program is specifically dedicated to commercial motor vehicle parking infrastructure. The 14 projects selected nationwide will add an estimated 2,403 truck parking spaces, according to USDOT.
This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.
