Bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act Aim to Improve Truck Parking
U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) reintroduced the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to create a short-term authorization of funds to increase truck parking capacity and to improve existing truck parking infrastructure.
Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation would authorize $755 million in competitive grant funding to expand commercial truck parking capacity across the U.S.
“Wyoming is home to three major interstates that carry thousands of tons of cargo a day. Without safe truck parking, truckers spend an unnecessary amount of time searching for a place to park – putting truckers and Wyoming drivers at greater risk for accidents. This is easily solvable, and I am thankful to Senator Kelly for joining me in finding a commonsense solution,” said Lummis. “People in Wyoming are still feeling the impacts of the supply chain crisis, and unreliable truck parking is another contributing factor to that. Fixing the parking problem will help ease this burden on consumers.”
She said the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act will allocate funds to create thousands of safe parking spots for trucks and make necessary improvements to existing truck parking areas.
Why Parking is a Major Issue
Parking can be a major issue for truckers due to a number of factors. First and foremost, there simply aren’t enough parking spaces available to accommodate the large number of trucks on the road. Many truckers are forced to spend hours searching for a safe and legal place to park, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Additionally, many parking areas are often full or require reservations, making it difficult for truckers to plan their routes and schedules. This lack of available parking can also pose safety risks for truckers, as they may be forced to park in less-than-ideal locations, such as on the side of busy highways or in unauthorized areas.
More About the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
The Act was introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2021 and has since gained support from both Democrats and Republicans. The act proposes allocating federal funds to states to help them create new truck parking spaces or improve existing ones, as well as establishing a new grant program specifically focused on truck parking projects.
The bill would require the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive survey of available truck parking across the United States, which would help to identify areas in need of additional parking facilities. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act has been praised by industry groups and truckers alike, who see it as a positive step towards addressing the ongoing truck parking crisis.
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