The Parking Zone – June 2018

Every week, there are several news articles across the nation related to truck parking. They range from a state department of transportation closing a rest area to local city councils preventing the opening of a truck stop.

New reports regarding local truck parking are too numerous and small in scope to report on individually. However, what each of these news items means to the underlying national problem is too significant to ignore. Below is a roundup of the latest truck parking-related news items from across the United States.

June was a very busy month in truck parking news.

Manitoba rest area closures

Last month, I mentioned how Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler is considering shutting down highway rest areas. One rest area in particular, the Pink Grove rest area, is the only one between Winnipeg and the Ontario boundary on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Worry no more. Schuler has since announced that the Pink Grove rest area will remain open after conducting a review. What will happen to other rest areas is unknown, but so far it’s a small victory for public rest areas in Canada.

Ramsay, Mont., truck stop plan

May’s edition of The Parking Zone featured a story out of Ramsay, Mont., where residents were not too happy about a proposed Love’s location. Despite opposition from residents, city officials ruled against establishing emergency, interim zoning regulations that would be unfavorable to Love’s.

However, Ramsay residents are not giving up.

During a packed city meeting, approximately 50 residents spoke against the proposed truck stop, citing issues like crime, fire emergencies, road safety and environmental impacts, according to the Montana Standard.

The NIMBY narrative was strong during the meeting. Love’s has dodged one bullet, but can the company and the city officials survive the barrage of bullets headed their way? Stay tuned.

Big news (and big facility) out of Pennsylvania

Now that updates are out of the way, let’s start June’s roundup on the right foot. A significant amount of truck parking spots may be added in Lower Macungie Township in Pennsylvania. How many? More than 600.

A plan by developer Truck Movers includes 653 truck parking spaces, 99 vehicle parking spaces, a gas station and a 28,500-square-foot shop building, according to The Morning Call.

In Lehigh Valley, this facility can be a game-changer in an area that is desperate for truck parking spaces. However, a member of the planning commission said the project is inconsistent with the county’s comprehensive plan. Let’s hope they can work this out together.

Truck parking situation not getting any better in Arkansas

A recent story from THV 11 in Little Rock, Ark., highlights what truckers already know: Parking along Interstate 40 is not easy.

Reporter Katlyn Gardenhire points out that truckers are asking for more rest stops along I-40 in Pulaski County. Not only are they not getting more, but Gardenhire notes how at least one pair of rest areas are now closed.

Like so many other mainstream media outlets are picking up, Gardenhire lets the public know that a thing called “ELDs” is making the problem worse. David O’Neal, vice president of Arkansas Truckers Association, points out that a lack of infrastructure funding is not helping the situation.

Bottom line: No road money in Arkansas equals no additional parking for trucks.

Maryland real estate developer proposes to build parking lot

Truckers who drive on Interstate 81 near Washington County in Maryland could have more parking options in the future. According to a Herald Mail report, a real estate company wants to build a parking lot for tractor-trailers in the county.

Bowman Development is proposing the lot that will include up to 162 truck parking spots. If approved, the lot will be located near the Pilot Travel Center on Halfway Boulevard off of I-81.

In the Herald Mail report, Bowman Development President Rob Ferree recognized the “growing need for tractor-trailer parking.” Ferree also understands how “regulations requiring truck drivers’ hours to be monitored by electronic log devices” has created “a need for more truck parking, so drivers can rest.”

Ferree gets it. Hopefully, the planning commission will get it too.

North Las Vegas mayor also understands truck parking situation

Big companies like Amazon and Sephora are setting up warehouses in North Las Vegas, and Mayor John Lee expects more. Lee also noticed that truck stops in the area are already filling up.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lee said he has noticed truckers parking illegally off of Interstate 15. Responding to the environment, Lee, the Nevada Truckers Association, the Nevada Highway Patrol and the North Las Vegas Police Department are devising a plan to address truck parking in the area. Proposed plans range from working with existing warehouses to purchasing land for new parking spots.

It’s good to see government officials recognize the need for truck parking and respond accordingly. Tip of the cap to Mayor Lee.

I-10 Corridor Coalition grant

Also in the west, state departments of transportation in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California, collectively known as the I-10 Corridor Coalition, are looking to obtain a federal grant to build a program that will alert truckers of available public parking spaces at I-10 rest areas.

The coalition is seeking an Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Grant worth $13.7 million. The Federal Highway Administration oversees the grant.

According to an Arizona Department of Transportation news release, the coalition states are proposing a system that would inform truckers of available parking.

It’s not exactly more parking, but it’s better than doing nothing at all, I suppose.

Iowa DOT seeks input on rest area closures

While the I-10 Corridor Coalition is trying to help truck drivers park at existing locations, Iowa is considering getting rid of several parking areas in the state.

Iowa has 38 full-service rest areas and 16 parking-only rest areas. From 2012 to 2016, the Iowa DOT have assessed the demand for all rest areas in the state for its Iowa Rest Area Management Plan.

After analyzing each rest area, the Iowa DOT is recommending closing 11 full-service rest areas and all 16 parking-only rest areas over the next 30 years.

The closure of 11 full-service rest areas and 16 parking-only sites will eliminate 279 truck parking spaces. However, Iowa plans to replace those spaces with more parking at existing locations as well as implementing what they call an “interstate oasis program.”

Pennsylvania looking into truck parking solutions

On June 21, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation participated in the Eastern Pennsylvania Freight Summit. During the summit, truck parking was addressed.

Among the many topics discussed, stakeholders discussed a public-private partnership initiative to alleviate truck parking issues. According to a Lehigh Valley Live report, truck parking was the liveliest discussion on Thursday. During the discussion, stakeholders talked about how trucking companies, warehouse developers and municipalities are at least partly responsible for truck parking.

Still in the early stages of the public-private partnership, PennDOT will start with requesting information.

New Love’s and Pilot Flying J locations

Both Love’s and PFJ had a busy June by opening four new locations each, adding nearly 500 truck parking spots to the infrastructure. Here they are:

• Love’s at 229 Mocksville Highway (Interstate 40, Exit 154), Statesville, N.C. (92 parking spots)
• Love’s at 13700 S U.S. Highway 441 (I-75, Exit 414), Ellisville, Fla. (99 spots)
• Love’s at 257 Horizon Blvd (Interstate 40, Exit 79), Milan, N.M. (66 spots) this location is a re-opening
• Love’s at intersection of Interstate 25 and North Grand Avenue (Exit 347), Las Vegas, N.M. (32 spots)
• Pilot Travel Center at 7349 LA-29, Bunkie, La. (52 spots)
• Pilot Travel Center at 8950 Earhart Lane, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (35 spots)
• Pilot Travel Center at 15455 Terrazzo Drive, Monument, Colo. (72 spots)
• Pilot Travel Center at 2000 FM-4888, Hempstead, Texas (46 spots)