WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is praising the inclusion of $200 million for truck parking in the fiscal year 2027 funding bill passed by the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee.
The measure now heads to the full House Appropriations Committee for a vote scheduled on June 4.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) played a key role in advancing the truck parking funding, an issue of critical importance to the trucking industry that will bolster the nation’s supply chain. ATA anticipates additional progress on priorities such as combatting cargo theft and enhancing highway safety as the appropriations process moves forward in June.
“The severe parking shortage means that truck drivers are forced to waste a significant portion of their day searching for a safe place to pull over, putting enormous strain on them and the supply chain, and creating serious safety risks on our roads,” said Chris Spear, ATA president, CEO. “Truckers keep our economy moving, and we owe it to them to ensure they have safe, reliable places to rest during federally mandated breaks or at the end of their shifts. We are especially grateful to chairman Womack for his leadership in securing this vital funding, and we thank the subcommittee for making this investment a priority.”
Improving Safety for Truckers
“Congressman Womack’s leadership on critical issues like truck parking reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing the [people] who keep America’s economy moving,” said Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association president. “Trucking supports one in every 10 jobs in Arkansas, and our state serves as a vital crossroads for interstate commerce. From I-30 to I-40 and I-55, Arkansas plays an outsized role in moving the nation’s freight. We are grateful for Congressman Womack’s commitment to strengthening our industry and improving safety for drivers.”
According to a USDOT study, 98% of truck drivers regularly experience problems locating safe parking. An analysis by the American Transportation Research Institute found that the average driver sacrifices 56 minutes of drive time per day. This results in $6,813 in lost wages for truck drivers each year.
ATA has long championed additional investments in truck parking. This new funding would build on the $200 million Congressman Womack secured for truck parking in the previous transportation funding bill that was signed into law earlier this year.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
