New Federal Infrastructure Bill Allocates $5B for Truck Parking and Rest Areas

Federal Truck Parking Funding Bill

The U.S. Congress has passed bipartisan legislation allocating $5 billion over five years specifically for the construction and improvement of truck parking and rest areas along the Interstate Highway System. The "Safe Truck Parking Act" addresses what FMCSA has identified as one of the most critical safety issues in the trucking industry.

The Parking Crisis

Studies indicate that the United States has a deficit of approximately 100,000 truck parking spaces relative to demand. The shortage forces drivers to park on highway shoulders, interchange ramps, and other unsafe locations, contributing to an estimated 200 fatalities and 3,000 injuries annually. A survey by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) found that truck drivers spend an average of 56 minutes per day searching for parking.

Funding Allocation

The $5 billion allocation is distributed across three categories: $2.5 billion for new truck parking facility construction, $1.5 billion for expansion and improvement of existing rest areas and truck stops, and $1 billion for technology solutions including real-time parking availability information systems and reservation platforms.

Implementation

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will administer the program through competitive grants to state DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, and public-private partnerships. The first round of grant applications is expected to open in Q4 2026.