The Parking Zone – October 2024
Over the summer, there was a lot of truck parking news at the state and federal levels. Let’s take a look at all of the local action that, when taken together, could impact the larger, nationwide truck parking crisis.
Truck parking solutions addressed near largest port
The home of the nation’s top international trade port has a truck parking problem, and the local government is addressing it. In response to consistent complaints about the lack of parking, the Laredo (Texas) City Council put out a call to the private sector to help solve the problem. Although public land is sparse, privately owned land can be converted to parking spaces, and the city is willing to help. Unfortunately, any private sector investment will likely include paid parking only.
Truck parking banned near second-largest port
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the City Council passed an ordinance banning truck parking in a neighborhood near the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Specifically, the ordinance prohibits trucking-related uses in the Wilmington and Harbor City communities near the port. That includes truck parking.
The new ordinance is a permanent measure replacing an emergency ordinance that expired in July. Wilmington sits right next to the ports, while Harbor City neighbors Wilmington to the northwest.
New Jersey borough bans overnight truck parking
Red Bank City Council members in New Jersey approved a new ordinance banning truck parking from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The new parking restrictions apply to vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds on public streets and right-of-way. No alternative parking options were given.
New Jersey town looking for truck parking compromise
About 30 minutes south going down Garden State Parkway (or an extra 15 minutes on state Route 18 if you want to avoid tolls) in Lakewood, N.J., city officials are trying to solve a truck parking problem in an industrial park.
Years ago, truck parking was banned at the Lakewood Industrial Park, according to the Asbury Park Press.Those restrictions were lifted in 2009 to address truck parking needs. Now, city officials are looking to go back and set new overnight truck parking restrictions. The plan is to ban overnight parking on certain streets. So far, only Rutgers University Boulevard bans truck parking from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., but more are likely to follow.
The issue is with truckers dropping trailers overnight, blocking parking for those who actually need it. The goal is to restrict parking on select streets without implementing a blanket truck parking ban.
Court upholds Pilot truck stop denial
Two years ago, The Parking Zone mentioned preliminary approval of a Pilot travel center in Chicopee, Mass. A lot has happened since then, none of which is good.
Apparently, the City Council quickly did an about-face and denied Pilot’s permit applications for a truck stop off Interstate 291. Pilot sued the city, claiming the decision was illegal. Earlier this year, the judge presiding over the case ruled in favor of the city, effectively ending plans for new truck parking, according to The Republican. Pilot has appealed the court decision.
Love’s wins six-year court battle
Love’s Travel Stops wants a new location in Joliet, Ill., so badly that it has been fighting local NIMBYs in court since 2018. But that battle has come to an end.
An Illinois state court of appeals ruled in favor of Love’s, finding the property in question was properly and legally annexed, according to The Herald-News. However, one of the lead NIMBYs told The Herald-News that the battle “isn’t over by a long shot.”
Options are limited. The only possible action left for the lawsuit is to take it to the state Supreme Court. It seems unlikely that an annexation dispute that both lower courts approved will pique the interest of the high court.
Residents also have expressed the possibility of taking the issue back to the city, which is under new leadership that seems more aligned with their disapproval of a truck stop. However, the new mayor’s hands, as well as those of new council members, likely are tied – as reversing the annexation is likely to spark a whole new set of legal issues.
Illinois town considering travel center
About two hours west of Joliet on Interstate 88, a new travel center could be built in Rock Falls, Ill., according to a Shaw Media report. If plans clear all hurdles, the travel center will be located at 2801 Hoover Road near the state Route 40/I-88 interchange.
Plans for the travel center are still in the early phases. Although details are limited, overnight truck parking will be included. The proposed location is near a busy Walmart distribution center that has hundreds of trucks pass through daily. Shaw Media pointed out there’s currently no travel center capable of serving such a high volume of trucks within a 50-mile radius of the proposed site.
New truck stop in New Mexico
Tucumcari, N.M., is home to a new One9 truck stop, according to the Quay County Sun. Scheduled for a September opening, the new truck stop is located at 3022 S. First Street off Interstate 40.
One9 truck stops are part of the Pilot Flying J network and are mostly smaller versions of its travel centers. There is a Flying J a mile-and-a-half east on I-40 that appears to be really busy. The new One9 truck stop will help alleviate congestion at that larger one. It includes eight diesel pumps, four showers and a laundry area. It is not clear how many truck parking spaces will be available. LL