State officials have announced plans to add a total of 1,202 truck parking spaces in 133 locations — including two sites in Berks County — by the end of 2026.
The spaces are intended to provide safe options for commercial drivers to meet federal hours-of-service rest requirements, addressing a longstanding, nationwide challenge and improving driver safety, officials said in a release.
The spaces will be set up on interstate on-ramps, at weigh stations used by state police motor carrier safety enforcement or other places within the right of way, they said.
State officials are looking to add 13 truck parking spaces in Berks, including eight spaces at the weigh station along northbound Route 222 in Brecknock Township near the Lancaster County line. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“Truck parking is a nationwide issue, and with the high volume of freight traffic coming through Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem,” Mike Carroll, PennDOT secretary, said in the release. “As a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce. By adding these spots — and looking at ways to add even more — we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.”
In Berks, officials are looking to add five spaces along westbound Interstate 78 at the Frystown on-ramp in Bethel Township and eight spaces at the weigh station along northbound Route 222 in Brecknock Township near the Lancaster County line.
Spots will be marked with truck-parking signs installed by PennDOT.
“This initiative directly supports our mission to ensure motor carrier safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving the overall safety of our highways,” said Maj. Robert Krol, state police director bureau of patrol. “Safe, designated parking is essential for commercial drivers, and this effort represents a significant step forward in protecting everyone who travels on Pennsylvania’s roads.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike also is looking at adding 600 spaces across the system, officials said.
The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association applauded the plan.
“Truck drivers are essential to keeping our economy moving, goods on our shelves and food in our pantries — but they need safe places to stop and rest,” Rebecca Oyler, president and CEO, said in the release.
“With only one parking space for every 11 drivers on the road, too many truckers are forced to choose between breaking hours-of-service laws or stopping in unsafe locations,” she said. “Every new space added to our highway network means one more trucker who has a safe and secure place to stop tonight.”