PennDOT to add truck parking to some Interstate ramps

HARRISBURG – A common sight along Interstate 81: trucks parked lining on and off ramps, often in defiance of plentiful and clearly posted No Parking signs. Soon, many of those trucks will be parked legally, thanks to PennDOT action.

PennDOT announced Monday the addition of 1,202 truck parking spaces on highway ramps and at weigh stations statewide.

Eight spots are in Schuylkill County and 19 are in Greater Hazleton. PennDOT says they will be designated spots along on-ramps with no sight distance or safety concerns.

“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,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “As a commercial driver’s licenseholder 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.”

“This initiative directly supports our mission to ensure motor carrier safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving the overall safety of our highways,” PSP Director Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol said. “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.”

Four spots will be on the northbound on-ramp onto Interstate 81 from Highridge Park Road.

Both the northbound off-ramp and on-ramp are regularly lined with tractor trailers in the overnight hours.

Four more spots will be on the northbound ramp from Route 25 at the Hegins exit.

In the Hazleton area, spots are scattered on ramps to Interstate 81 at Route 93, Route 924, Route 424, and to Interstate 80 from Route 940.

PennDOT says the additional spots mark the first statewide expansion of designated parking spaces without construction projects and will provide safe options for commercial drivers to meet hours-of-service rest requirements.

A public truck parking option has been added to 511PA as well.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home. She is a 12-time Keystone Media Award winner, a PAB Excellence in Broadcasting award winner, and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award.

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