The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike), and Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association officials recently announced that the Commonwealth is adding 1,202 truck parking spaces in 133 locations by the end of 2026. In addition, the PA Turnpike is evaluating opportunities for more than 600 additional spaces across its system.<\/p>\n
This is the first statewide expansion of designated parking spaces other than through facility construction projects and will provide safe options for commercial drivers to meet federal hours-of-service rest requirements, helping to address a longstanding, nationwide challenge and improving driver safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cTruck 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,\u201d PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. \u201cAs a commercial driver\u2019s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce. By adding these spots \u2013 and looking at ways to add even more \u2013 we\u2019re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n
PennDOT\u2019s designated truck parking spots will be established on Interstate on-ramps with no sight distance or safety concerns, weigh stations used for PSP motor carrier safety enforcement, and various other locations within highway right of way. PennDOT and PSP staff collaborated closely to identify sites that can be designated quickly and cost-effectively. Spots will be marked with truck-parking signage installed by PennDOT.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis initiative directly supports our mission to ensure motor carrier safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving the overall safety of our highways,\u201d PSP Director Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol said. \u201cSafe, designated parking is essential for commercial drivers, and this effort represents a significant step forward in protecting everyone who travels on Pennsylvania\u2019s roads.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of its ongoing investment to the trucking community, the PA Turnpike is evaluating the feasibility of additional spaces at various locations throughout its system, including emergency pull-offs, interchange on-ramps and service plaza on-ramps. Over the last two decades, the PA Turnpike has added parking where it can, investing more than $30 million to expand truck parking at numerous service plazas, including Sideling Hill, Lawn, Highspire, North Somerset and Stanton service plazas. As it converts to Open Road Tolling (ORT), the PA Turnpike is reviewing the reconfiguration of interchanges can create opportunities to provide additional spaces for truck parking.<\/p>\n
Due to its role supporting regional logistical operations, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the few toll roads that held \u2013 and grew \u2013 its commercial volumes from pre-pandemic levels. Systemwide, commercial traffic is 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n