Texas was awarded a federal grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address the growing shortage of safe and accessible truck parking areas and rest stops. A 2019 report issued by the Texas Department of Transportation after polling truckers revealed that Texas truckers reported difficulty trying to find a safe place to park and rest 98% of the time. This creates a dangerous environment for both truckers and all other motorists because they may be forced to violate federal Hours of Service (HOS) laws just trying to find a safe place to rest and park.
The $23 million from the Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) initiative will fund the creation of a truck parking and rest stop center in Caldwell County, Texas along some of the busiest corridors.
When asked in the anonymous poll by TXDOT 70% of commercial drivers reported violating HOS laws because of inadequate parking opportunities. What’s more, drivers reported having to drive long distances to find readily available parking after a long shift. The extra mileage eats away at their costs, lowering their annual income by an average of 12%.
Many drivers plan to stop their route an hour short to allow themselves enough time to find parking before they reach their HOS drive time limit. Losing an hour of work a day is not only financially taxing, it creates unnecessary stress for drivers who are already exhausted.
The grants will create a truck parking plaza at SH 130 and San Marcos Hwy that includes 100 long-term parking spaces, 20 short-term spaces, a rest stops with restrooms, showers and food, 24 hour security, lighting, and secure entry and exit gates. This new public truck parking facility should help ease truck drivers’ parking and rest stop issues in Texas.
Looking to rent a long-term truck parking space at a private, secure facility in West Houston? Contact Schlipf Road Park & Go to book and pay online now. You’ll have your pin pad access code emailed or messaged to you in minutes!