Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration announced plans Tuesday to create 1,400 new truck parking spaces along highways at 33 sites across the state by 2027.
The initiative will create 33 truck parking areas, though none will be located in Wood or Lucas counties. Sites include locations in Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Belmont, Clermont, Fayette, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Henry, Lake, Mahoning, Medina, Ross, Summit, Warren, and Wyandot counties. Once complete, the American Transportation Research Institute projects that Ohio will have more long-term truck parking spaces available on state-owned property than any other state.
The initiative, paid for out of $150 million approved in the state transportation budget approved earlier this year and construction will begin next year.
“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, so do the number of trucks traveling on Ohio’s network of interstates and state routes,” DeWine said. “By expanding safe, accessible places for drivers to rest, we’re supporting the people who keep our economy moving and making it safer for everyone on our roads.”
The release from DeWine’s office called Ohio, “one of America’s most critical freight corridors,” stating trucks logged 27.5 million miles on Ohio roads in 2023. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) estimates freight volume will increase 26% over the next 20 years.
According to the American Trucking Associations, there is one truck parking space for every 11 trucks on the road in the United States, “forcing truck drivers who can’t find a spot to drive drowsy or pull over to sleep in unsafe areas such as highway shoulders and entrance/exit ramps.”
Over the past 10 years, the state saw 689 crashes caused by drowsy semi-truck drivers, resulting in 345 injuries and two fatalities.
“Ohio’s new truck parking plan is a major step forward in improving safety for truck drivers and everyone on the road,” ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn said.
