The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for the project at the eastbound I-70 rest area in Concordia. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with the improvements scheduled for completion in late 2028.

The project is funded through a $33 million federal grant.

Project Targets One of Missouri’s Busiest Freight Corridors

Interstate 70 serves as one of Missouri’s primary freight routes, carrying more than 10,000 trucks each day.

According to MoDOT, truck parking demand regularly exceeds available capacity. During peak periods, all public truck parking areas along the I-70 corridor are full, while approximately 75% of private truck stops also operate at or above capacity.

State officials say the additional parking is intended to improve safety by giving drivers more legal places to park and comply with hours-of-service requirements.

Eight Locations Will Receive Additional Parking

The project includes improvements at rest areas in Concordia, Boonville, Mineola and Wright City.

In addition to resurfacing work, each location will receive new truck parking spaces.

The planned improvements include:

• Wright City Westbound: 44 new spaces, increasing capacity to 64 truck parking spaces.
• Wright City Eastbound: 49 new spaces, increasing capacity to 67 spaces.
• Mineola Westbound: 24 new spaces, increasing capacity to 88 spaces.
• Mineola Eastbound: 25 new spaces, increasing capacity to 54 spaces.
• Boonville Westbound: 40 new spaces, increasing capacity to 60 spaces.
• Boonville Eastbound: 28 new spaces, increasing capacity to 49 spaces.
• Concordia Westbound: 29 new spaces, increasing capacity to 48 spaces.
• Concordia Eastbound: 16 new spaces, increasing capacity to 44 spaces.

Several locations will also receive pavement improvements and minor facility upgrades.

Industry Leaders Join Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony includes representatives from Missouri transportation agencies, the trucking industry and the construction team overseeing the project.

Scheduled speakers include Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Warren Erdman, Missouri Trucking Association CEO Tom Crawford, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer, KCI Construction President Tom Huster and Improve I-70 Truck Parking Project Director Dan Oesch.

Truck Parking Remains a National Challenge

Truck parking continues to rank among the trucking industry’s most frequently cited concerns, with drivers often spending valuable driving time searching for available parking near the end of their workday.

Projects that expand parking along major freight corridors have become a growing focus for state transportation agencies as freight volumes increase and parking demand continues to outpace available capacity.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 28, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: MDOT

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The project will add 365 truck parking spaces to help address parking demand on one of the country’s busiest freight corridors.

Construction is taking place at the eastbound and westbound truck parking areas near mile marker 6, close to the Bear River exit. Both parking areas have been closed while crews begin site preparation and are expected to remain unavailable through October 31, 2026. According to WYDOT, the parking areas will reopen before the start of the winter travel season.

Construction Activities Underway

Contract crews from Whitaker Construction have started clearing the existing parking areas and excavating the site in preparation for a temporary access road that will support construction activities.

Drivers traveling through the area should expect shoulder work and occasional lane closures in both directions of Interstate 80 throughout the summer as the project progresses.

Project Includes More Than Additional Parking

In addition to expanding truck parking capacity, the project includes several infrastructure improvements designed to support the area over the long term.

Planned work includes:

Expanding the existing eastbound and westbound truck parking facilities
Constructing a new off-road vehicle trail
Excavation and grading
Concrete paving
Installation of sheet piling
New roadway lighting
Updated roadway signs

Construction extends along Interstate 80 beginning near mile marker 6.68 east of Evanston in Uinta County.

Project Scheduled Through 2028

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the approximately $40 million construction contract to Utah-based Whitaker Construction Co. Inc. in May 2026.

The project is expected to be completed by October 31, 2028.

Federal Grant Supports Larger Truck Parking Initiative

The Interstate 80 project is part of a broader effort to increase truck parking availability across southwest Wyoming.

Earlier this year, WYDOT received a $265.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to construct additional commercial truck parking facilities throughout the region.

With freight traffic continuing to grow along Interstate 80, the expansion is intended to provide drivers with more safe and legal places to park while supporting compliance with federal hours of service regulations.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Wyoming DOT

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Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Derek Barrs, and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue joined the June 18 groundbreaking for the projects. The work is being funded through a $180 million federal grant.

The new parking will be built along the I-4 corridor, which the U.S. Department of Transportation says carries 95% of Florida’s consumer goods.

Where The Projects Are Moving First

Construction on the first three sites in Seminole and Volusia counties is expected to begin this summer, with those projects scheduled for completion in mid-2027. Two additional sites in Osceola and Orange counties are set to begin construction in 2027.

What Officials Said About the Expansion

Barrs said truck drivers should not have to choose between following the law and finding a safe place to park. He said the added spaces will give drivers more room to get needed rest, help reduce dangerous roadside parking, and improve safety along one of Florida’s busiest freight corridors.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last Updated: June 26, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Florida DOT

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Safety and Convenience for Drivers

“Amenities like lighted parking lots, bathroom access, and on-site security are not simply matters of convenience; they are essential to ensuring women’s safety and wellbeing,” Williams said. “Serious safety implications exist for the broader public as well. When trucks are forced to park in unmarked and unauthorized locations, such as along highway ramps, it creates hazards for truck drivers and motorists alike, contributing to thousands of crashes each year.”

Truck Parking Challenges Impact Earnings

Finding safe parking is more than an inconvenience. Federal data shows that nearly all drivers, 98 percent according to a USDOT study, experience difficulties locating secure spots. Research from the American Transportation Research Institute indicates that drivers lose roughly 56 minutes of drive time each day because of this issue. Over the course of a year, this amounts to about 6,813 dollars in lost wages for the average trucker.

A Critical Need for All Truck Drivers

Truck parking is a basic safety necessity for the nation’s 3.6 million drivers, including hundreds of thousands of women. Williams said secure, well-lit parking spots help drivers rest safely at the end of long shifts. “This is the least we can do for America’s essential workforce,” she added.

Building on Existing Momentum

Women In Motion highlights that recent federal efforts have already addressed truck parking. The 2021 surface transportation bill supported the construction of roughly 2,000 new spaces. Earlier this year, the fiscal year 2026 transportation funding bill allocated additional funds specifically to expand truck parking. Williams encouraged Congress to continue building on this momentum for meaningful long-term investment.

“We urge Congress to build on this momentum by paving the way for meaningful, sustained investments in truck parking in the next surface transportation bill,” Williams said.

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With these additions, Love’s finishes the year having opened 18 new locations nationwide and added 1,408 truck parking spaces to its network, continuing its push to expand parking capacity along major freight corridors.

New Locations Along Busy Freight Routes

The Eloy travel stop becomes Love’s 18th location in Arizona and sits just off Interstate 10, a heavily traveled east west corridor for long haul freight. The Milan Township store is Love’s 28th location in Ohio, located off Interstate 90 between Toledo and Cleveland near Lake Erie.

Both locations were built with professional drivers in mind, offering expanded parking, food options, and driver focused amenities.

What Drivers Will Find in Eloy, Arizona

The Eloy location brings one of the larger parking expansions among Love’s 2025 openings. Features include:

• 129 truck parking spaces
• Eight diesel bays
• Six showers
• Laundry facilities
• CAT Scale
• 10 bobtail parking spaces
• Dog park
• Self checkout options
• Love’s Fresh Kitchen
• Dunkin’
• Wendy’s
• Truck wash scheduled to open January 2026

The Eloy travel stop also added 113 local jobs.

Looking ahead, the site will include five EV charging stations, funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program, with an expected opening in spring 2026.

What’s Available in Milan Township, Ohio

The Milan Township travel stop adds another strong parking option for drivers running northern Ohio routes. Features at this location include:

• 111 truck parking spaces
• Eight diesel bays
• Seven showers
• Laundry facilities
• CAT Scale
• Dog park
• Self checkout options
• Love’s Fresh Kitchen
• Hardee’s

The Milan Township store added 65 local jobs. While EV charging stations are not yet installed, space has been allocated to allow for future partnerships with local utility companies if customer demand increases.

Giving Back to Local Communities

To mark the grand openings, Love’s made donations to community organizations in both locations.

In Eloy, donations included 2,500 dollars to Eloy Junior High School, 2,500 dollars to Toltec Elementary School, and 5,000 dollars to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

In Milan Township, donations included 2,500 dollars to Edison Birthplace Association Inc., 2,500 dollars to Norwalk Area Food Bank, and 5,000 dollars to University Hospitals Babies and Children’s Hospital.

More Parking as 2026 Approaches

For drivers, the takeaway is straightforward. More parking, more fuel bays, and more places to stop along major highways as the industry heads into the new year. With parking shortages still a daily challenge, the additional capacity added by Love’s in 2025 provides some relief on heavily traveled routes.

Source: Truckers News

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Years of Advocacy and a Tragic Catalyst

Finding a safe, legal place to park has been a daily struggle for truck drivers across the country. For much of the 21st century, the lack of parking has left drivers with few good options, forcing many to risk their safety. It wasn’t until advocacy organizations spoke up—most notably the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA)—that federal and state leaders began to take the problem seriously.

A pivotal moment came after the murder of truck driver Jason Rivenburg, who lost his life when he was forced to stop overnight at an unsafe location after being turned away from an early delivery. That tragedy led directly to Jason’s Law in 2012, which tasked federal agencies with assessing and reporting on national truck parking availability.

When the initial survey results landed in 2015, they reinforced what drivers already knew: truck parking was woefully inadequate. But improvements were slow, and a follow-up in 2020 confirmed that little headway had been made.

Legislators Push for Solutions

Driven by the survey results, lawmakers and OOIDA renewed their campaign for action. In 2020, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) introduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act—a proposal to allocate $755 million specifically for building new, free parking spots for truckers.

OOIDA threw its weight behind the bill from the start. “Growing up in a family trucking business, I know how hard it can be to find a safe place to stop and rest,” Bost explained, emphasizing why he has “led efforts in Congress to expand truck parking and fight for common sense reforms that make life easier and safer for truckers.”

The measure faced obstacles in Congress, and although it stalled in committee, support grew steadily. OOIDA spurred drivers into action through Calls to Action and their FightingForTruckers.com website, while Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh continued providing congressional testimony on the issue. Over several sessions, the bill’s list of Democratic and Republican co-sponsors increased as awareness spread.

DOT Launches the “Pro-Trucker Package”

Momentum built as a new federal administration entered office. On June 27, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy laid out the department’s “Pro-Trucker Package,” a series of reforms aimed at truck driver well-being and safety.

A major highlight of the package is the $275+ million commitment to expand truck parking across the U.S. The 2024 round of grants already included $180 million for Florida, providing more than 900 much-needed spaces along Interstate 4, a perennial trouble spot for parking.

“These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America but also enhance safety for everyone on the road,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer.

Other DOT efforts in the package include pulling back on speed limiter regulations, updating the hours-of-service rules to offer drivers more flexibility, and modernizing digital resources such as the National Consumer Complaint Database for drivers.

Importantly, the DOT will also be labeling truck parking as a “national priority” under Jason’s Law, which will unlock access to grant programs that can move additional parking construction projects forward.

A Turning Point for the Trucking Community

For truckers, this $275 million initiative is more than just government spending—it’s long-overdue recognition of their crucial work and the unique challenges they face. Solving the parking problem addresses a critical safety concern and helps drivers spend more time moving America’s freight, not searching for a place to park.

The Road Ahead

The shortage is not solved overnight, but this level of funding marks a historic step forward. OOIDA and supporting lawmakers plan to keep pushing for additional resources and program improvements to ensure truckers’ continued safety and comfort.

With fresh investment and a renewed focus on truck driver needs, the industry is poised for safer roads, smarter regulations, and more secure rest for those who keep goods moving nationwide. All eyes will be on how these changes unfold and on the benefits delivered to drivers and the traveling public alike.

Source: Land Line

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Phase 1 Begins at Middletown Rest Area

The first step of this comprehensive initiative is already underway at the Middletown rest area on Interstate 91 northbound. This phase involves the addition of 11 new truck parking spaces, boosting capacity at the location by more than 40%. It marks just the beginning of a broader effort to address parking shortages statewide.

Long-Term Plan to Add Over 180 New Parking Spaces

CTDOT’s expansion plan aims to deliver more than 180 new truck parking spaces across multiple sites in Connecticut, including Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon—all before the decade’s end.

Currently, Connecticut offers around 420 public truck parking spaces at rest areas and service plazas. By the time this project is complete, the state’s capacity will increase to roughly 600 spaces, representing a 44% overall rise in truck parking availability.

Addressing Truckers’ Concerns

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park along state highways,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, who keep our economy moving.”

Praise from Industry Leaders

John Blair, President of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, praised the initiative, emphasizing the longstanding impact of insufficient parking on the trucking industry.

“The Motor Transport Association of CT wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on,” said Blair. “The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide-ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry’s longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer.”

This initiative represents a critical step forward for improving the trucking infrastructure in Connecticut. By the end of the decade, drivers will have access to expanded, safer parking options, which will not only increase roadway safety but also improve working conditions for truckers and reduce environmental harm.

Source: Truckers News

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