Truck parking need highlighted in Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled his transportation budget for the coming fiscal year that includes $25 million for truck parking.
The budget proposal for fiscal year 2024-2025 includes $15.6 billion for transportation to target critical congestion relief and safety projects.
“This budget proposal reaffirms the Department’s commitment to addressing congestion relief, resiliency, improving safety on our roadways and strengthening Florida’s supply chain,” Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue said in prepared remarks.
The budget includes $14.5 billion for projects in the Florida Department of Transportation’s work program. Another $630 million would be allotted for the second phase of the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative to expedite 20 projects to relieve traffic congestion. Additionally, $75 million would be earmarked for a partnership with FloridaCommerce to provide grants that are touted to “enhance Florida’s supply chain and innovative delivery models.”
DeSantis also recommended $25 million to provide commercial truck parking relief along the state highway system.
Available truck parking continues to be an issue nationally and in Florida.
In 2019, a Jason’s Law survey showed there were about 313,000 truck parking spaces across the nation. The figures included 40,000 spaces at public rest areas and 273,000 at private truck stops.
Shortages were shown to exist in areas including the entire Interstate 95 corridor.
Although some states reported in the survey that they had experienced a decrease in public truck parking spaces, others, including Florida, reported experiencing a relatively significant increase in their public spaces.
The Sunshine State, however, also is on a short list of states with high numbers of unauthorized parking. Affected states are described as those with major freight-generating areas, major ports and intermodal facilities.
Recent data from FDOT shows that up to 20,000 trucks each day travel Interstate 4 between the Osceola County/Polk County line and I-95. The stretch has just 36 truck parking spots.
FDOT studies report another 450 spaces are needed now, with a need for another 750 spots anticipated over the next several years.
The governor’s transportation budget proposal can be considered during the regular session that began in January. LL