LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is receiving a $23 million federal grant to build a truck parking and rest area facility along future Interstate 49 in Crawford County and credits Congressman Steve Womack for making truck parking a federal infrastructure priority.
“Safe, accessible truck parking is not a convenience for our industry,” said Shannon Newton, ATA presidenIt is essential that drivers have a safe place to get meaningful rest. Congressman Womack understands how directly that affects driver’s lives and our industry’s ability to deliver. His persistence is turning a longstanding concern into real investment. This project will make a meaningful difference for truck drivers, improve safety for everyone traveling on our highways and strengthen Arkansas’s position as a vital link in our nation’s supply chain.”
Awarded to the Arkansas Department of Transportation through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s INFRA program, the grant will fund final design and construction between the Gun Club Road and Clear Creek Road interchanges. The facility will accommodate approximately 130 trucks and 50 passenger vehicles.
Arkansas is one of 12 states receiving funding.
Parking Shortages
Nationally, there is approximately one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations. Limited parking forces drivers to spend valuable time searching for available spaces or leaves them with few safe alternatives when their allowable driving hours expire.
“Womack has consistently prioritized dedicated truck parking funding in transportation appropriations legislation,” ATA said. “The I-49 project brings that commitment home to Arkansas, strengthening a freight corridor that businesses and communities depend on every day.”
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
