Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Feb. 28, 2025:
Truck parking funding bill resurfaces in Congress
A bipartisan group of lawmakers on Thursday reintroduced legislation that would address the shortage of truck parking across the United States.
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) reintroduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act in the House Thursday, along with Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), Pete Stauber (R-Minnesota) and Salud Carbajal (D-California).
Bost noted that the legislation “addresses the dangerous, nationwide shortage in safe, accessible parking spaces for large commercial trucks by providing U.S. Department of Transportation funding on a competitive basis for the construction of new lots and spaces.”
While the text of the reintroduced legislation was not immediately available, previous iterations of the bill would have authorized $755 million in grant funding for parking projects.
“I grew up in a family trucking business,” said Bost. “I know firsthand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to push that extra mile in search of a safe place to park. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring that goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety for everyone; and I’m committed to do all I can to drive this legislation over the finish line.”
Trucking organizations have long supported efforts to pass the legislation. American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear on Thursday said addressing truck parking is “one of the most meaningful ways Congress can show its support for America’s professional truck drivers. …”The chronic lack of truck parking poses an unacceptable risk to both truckers and the nation’s motoring public. Congress must step in to provide a solution.”
Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the “lack of safe truck parking has been a top concern of truckers for decades,” adding that “when truckers don’t have a safe place to park, we are put in a no-win situation. We must either continue to drive while fatigued or out of legal driving time, or park in an undesignated and unsafe location like the side of the road or abandoned lot. It forces truck drivers to make a choice between safety and following federal Hours-of-Service rules.”
Both groups highlighted the fact that for every 11 truck drivers on the road, there is just one parking spot.
[Related: Solving the truck parking crisis: Custom apps to the rescue]
Hirschbach opens new Salt Lake City location
Hirschbach Motor Lines announced Thursday the opening of its new Salt Lake City, Utah, location.
To mark the milestone, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will take place on Thursday, March 6, from 4-6 p.m. at the new facility, located at 10757 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095. The event will be hosted in partnership with the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce. Following the open house, an Open Interview Day will be hosted on Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This expansion reinforces Hirschbach’s commitment to providing top-tier transportation solutions while enhancing services for drivers and customers in the western region, the company said. The new facility will serve as a regional corporate office for operations, driver support, and logistics innovation.
“We’re thrilled to be located in Salt Lake City,” said Richard Stocking, President & CEO of Hirschbach Motor Lines. “This new location allows us to better serve our drivers, customers, and partners while continuing to grow our network. By expanding our service offerings, this new location will provide the capacity to hire 30 new jobs for transportation professionals in operations, customer service, technology and more.”
