WASHINGTON — The nationwide shortage of safe truck parking is among the transportation challenges targeted by more than $1 billion in federal roadway safety grants announced Thursday, Oct. 29, by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
“This historic investment doubles down on our progress by equipping communities with the infrastructure and programs necessary to continue saving lives,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “We’re also making major investments in the truckers’ quality of life by reversing the nation’s severe parking shortage.”
According to USDOT, 10 of the 297 projects selected for funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program will help address the truck parking shortage. However, the agency’s published project descriptions leave questions about how much of the $1.01 billion will be spent specifically on truck parking — and whether the awards will result in additional parking spaces for professional drivers.
A review of the complete awards list identified four projects that specifically reference truck parking, with combined federal grants totaling approximately $21.6 million, or 2.1% of the overall funding package.
That figure represents the total awards for those projects, which include other roadway safety improvements. It does not represent funding dedicated exclusively to truck parking.
Truck parking projects identified
Pecos, Texas
The largest of the four identified grants is a $12 million award to Pecos, Texas, for freight corridor safety improvements along U.S. Highway 285 and Interstate 20 frontage roads.
The project includes access management, upgraded lighting, speed monitoring and a roundabout. According to the project description, the improvements are intended to reduce unauthorized truck parking while improving safety on heavily traveled freight corridors.
Reeves County, Texas
In Reeves County, Texas, a $4.1 million planning and demonstration grant will support freight corridor and truck parking safety studies, roadway safety audits and an updated safety action plan.
Fort Collins, Colorado
The City of Fort Collins, Colorado, will receive approximately $5.2 million for safety improvements on a 2.5-mile segment of Shields Street, strengthen post-crash care capabilities, and conduct a truck parking study to address the Interstate 25 truck parking shortage, with the goal of reducing unsafe roadside stopping.
Miami Township, Ohio
Miami Township, Ohio, will receive $240,000 to develop a comprehensive roadway safety action plan. The project includes an analysis of truck parking needs, along with pedestrian accessibility and other safety concerns.
While these projects address truck parking issues, none of the four descriptions specifically identifies additional truck parking spaces to be constructed.
USDOT’s overall awards summary identifies 10 parking-related projects, but the remaining six could not be clearly identified from the descriptions provided in the published list.
Another round of truck parking funding
The announcement follows a separate Oct. 14 USDOT investment of $200 million through the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) program.
That funding supports 14 truck parking expansion projects across 12 states, including new parking facilities and expansions at existing locations. Unlike the latest SS4A awards, several of the INFRA projects specify the number of additional truck parking spaces planned.
The two funding announcements involve separate federal programs with different objectives. While the INFRA awards specifically target truck parking expansion, the SS4A program supports a broader range of roadway safety improvements.
Additional safety investments
The latest SS4A funding package includes approximately $683.7 million for 100 implementation grants and $329.3 million for 197 planning and demonstration grants.
Implementation grants support projects and strategies developed through existing roadway safety action plans, while planning and demonstration grants help communities identify roadway hazards, evaluate possible improvements and develop future safety projects.
Beyond truck parking, the awards include improvements to hazardous intersections, railroad crossings and other roadway infrastructure.
USDOT also reports that 95 projects, representing more than $335 million, primarily focus on post-crash care and trauma support. Some of the funding will expand emergency medical response capabilities, including equipment and training for prehospital blood transfusions.
According to the department, 52% of the awards will benefit rural communities, with more than $425 million directed toward rural and Tribal areas.
For truck drivers, the distinction between studying parking shortages and actually constructing additional spaces remains an important consideration.
Although the latest awards recognize truck parking as a roadway safety issue, the number of new parking spaces — if any — resulting from the SS4A grants has not yet been established.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
