The Parking Zone – September 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.

Truck-friendly city in California considers new Love’s Travel Stop

Let’s start things off on a high note (pun intended you’ll see).

More than two years ago, I wrote about Weed, Calif. More specifically, I highlighted how Weed was doing everything it can to accommodate parking for trucks. Since then, Weed has been cited during several meetings with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s truck parking coalition. So what are they up to now?

Looks like the city is considering a new Love’s Travel Stop at the interchange between Interstate 5 and Vista Drive. The Planning Commission was going to hold a public hearing on Sept. 19, but it was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I called city hall, and it looks like it has been rescheduled for Oct. 3.

I wouldn’t worry though. Historically, this city is a friend of the trucking industry. It seems unlikely that Love’s will face the kind of opposition it has endured in many other cities. But you never know…

Love’s facing a battle in Illinois city

Love’s Travel Stops wants to set up shop in Joliet, Ill., but (like clockwork) residents don’t want it at the proposed location, The Herald-News reports. However, Love’s says the location is perfect, right off Interstate 80.

Even the Joliet Plan Commission agrees with Love’s. They voted 6-2 to recommend approval of a new location at the I-80 interchange at Briggs Street. More than 30 residents spoke out against the truck stop during that meeting.

The city council will vote on Love’s plan on Oct. 2. Stay tuned.

Pilot Flying J debacle in Santa Fe, N.M., finally over?

Maybe.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, PFJ dropped its appeal over a decision that rejected the truck stop franchise’s proposed location at Interstate 25 and N.M. 14. PFJ dismissed the appeal without a chance to refile for unknown reasons.

Will PFJ offer a different proposal or has PFJ finally decided to wash its hands of this mess?  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Among the many rejected truck proposals that happen every year, this one was among the most heated. Maybe it’s time for everyone to cut their losses and move on. If you can’t find parking in Santa Fe, you know why.

Two truck stops duke it out in New York

We’re used to truck stops fighting cities and their residents, but here’s a twist: Two truck stops are battling each other in court for space.

According to court documents, Pilot Flying J recently lost an appellate court case involving the town of Bath and Love’s as defendants. Essentially, PFJ was trying to prevent Love’s from opening a stop across the street.

PFJ’s in Bath is directly across from the Kanona Truck Stop. In July 2016, Love’s had contracted to purchase the Kanona Truck Stop and subsequently underwent the process of a public hearing the following year. Without much resistance, the city determined that an Environmental Impact Statement was not required.

PFJ took exception to the EIS ruling and filed the lawsuit. Whether or not PFJ is legitimately concerned about the environment or trying to throw some road spikes in front of Love’s is up to you to decide. Regardless, the Love’s plan looks to move forward.

Parking news without PFJ or Love’s

There’s no doubt that PFJ and Love’s are the giants of truck parking. However, there are other players in the truck stop industry, like Waspy’s.

In Audubon, Iowa, on Highway 71 between Interstate 80 and Highway 30, Waspy’s Truck Stop opened a new location. This includes fuel, a convenience store, certified scales, a trucker lounge, showers, a laundry facility … and parking, of course.

Check out everything that is available at the new location by clicking here.

Another Illinois city skeptical about trucks

This is loosely related to truck parking, but is worth mentioning. In Darien, Ill., a company wants to build a warehouse that would include 31 truck-loading docks. It’s not technically parking. Although some shippers/receivers allow temporary parking on their premises.

Earlier this year, the Planning and Zoning Commission voted in favor of a 4-foot height increase of the proposed building plans. However, other officials recently voted 4-3 against that height increase, which would be situated near Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.

A social media campaign formed by opponents after the initial approval led to the change of heart. Councilmembers who approved of the height increase claim the information included in the social media campaign was not accurate. Nonetheless, it was enough resistance to halt plans for now.

Love’s four-year wait finally pays off in Michigan

After announcing a desire to build a truck stop in Holland Township, Mich., Love’s will finally open the new location later this year. The green light to build at 771 Black River Drive off Adams Street near Interstate 96 was given in March, according to the Holland Sentinel.

When it opens, 69 truck parking spaces will be available. Additionally, there will be a Hardee’s restaurant and an 8,350-sqaure-foot facility for mechanical service and tire storage.

Apparently, there’s a Pilot Travel Center nearby off M-40 as well as other gas stations. Looks like Holland has no issues with truckers doing their jobs in the area.

New welcome center in New York includes truck parking

If you drive on Interstate 87 near Queensbury, N.Y., in the Adirondack Mountain region, you may have noticed a brand new welcome center. Good news: Truck parking is available.

The Adirondack Welcome Center is on northbound Interstate 87 between the Hudson River and Northway Exit 18. Based on these plans, there is an area for truck parking. There appears to be around 15 spaces available. Not a lot, but it’s more than nothing and can be the difference between parking safely/legally and violating all sorts of regulations.

New Love’s locations

Four new Love’s Travel Stops have opened across the nation, adding more than 300 truck parking spaces to the infrastructure:

• Love’s at 3800 East State Route 56 (near intersection of I-25 and State Route 56), Berthoud, Colo. (85 truck parking spaces).
• Love’s near intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and State Route 28, Tipton, Ind. (69 spaces).
• Love’s at 1609 Nadeau Road (I-75, Exit 18), Frenchtown, Mich. (100 spaces).
• Love’s at 1770 McCue Street (near intersection of I-80 and Curtis), Laramie, Wyo. (82 spaces).