House bill funds $200M for truck priorities in parking, training and supply chain reform
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Lawmakers have advanced a funding bill addressing one of the trucking industry’s most persistent challenges: a nationwide shortage of safe, accessible parking for long-haul drivers. The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee recently approved a fiscal 2025 bill that allocates $200 million to expand truck parking capacity across the United States. The provision received strong support from the American Trucking Associations, which has long emphasized the issue.
Henry Hanscom, senior vice president of ATA, said the move is a clear sign Congress is responding to drivers. The funding, administered through the Department of Transportation’s Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program, will prioritize underserved freight corridors, especially in rural areas. Truck drivers often spend nearly an hour each day searching for parking. That delay affects income, adherence to Hours of Service rules, and overall safety.
The data reveals the cost and risk of chronic truck parking shortages
According to a Department of Transportation survey, 98 percent of drivers struggle to find safe and available parking. The issue poses serious safety and economic concerns.
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates drivers lose about 56 minutes each day searching for parking. This equates to nearly $6,800 annually in lost earnings per driver. Industry-wide, the lost productivity is substantial. When forced to park in unauthorized or poorly lit areas, drivers face heightened risks of theft and crashes. The statistics support ATA’s push to prioritize parking availability in federal legislation.
Federal funding is targeting rural freight corridors and high-demand zones
The $200 million is expected to support new parking developments and facility expansions along key freight routes. Many of these corridors pass through rural regions with limited infrastructure and little private investment in rest areas.
The bill complements earlier investments made through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has already contributed more than 2,000 new parking spots nationwide. Advocates hope this expansion will address persistent gaps, allowing drivers to comply with safety regulations and reduce fatigue.
The bill’s impact extends to driver safety, earnings, and freight reliability
Improved parking access supports safer working conditions and more efficient logistics. Less time spent searching for parking means more time moving freight and fewer violations of federal rest requirements.
For drivers, better access to safe parking improves daily workflow and quality of life. For carriers, the investment offers higher reliability and fewer delivery delays. These improvements may also help with recruitment and retention by making long-haul driving more manageable.
Additional trucking priorities gain support in the House bill
Beyond parking, the legislation reinforces broader trucking reforms. It sustains the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot, a program aimed at training younger drivers under supervision to support workforce development.
The bill also clarifies federal preemption of California’s meal and rest break laws. Carriers operating nationally have long argued for consistent standards to avoid conflicting regulations between states.
Funding for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration increases to $909 million, indicating continued investment in oversight and regulatory improvements.
The 2021 infrastructure law laid the foundation for addressing freight network weaknesses. This year’s $200 million allocation builds on that effort, showing Congress is more engaged in the logistics challenges affecting drivers and the broader economy.
While the funding will not resolve the parking issue entirely, it signals a shift in policy awareness. Infrastructure investments now include the realities drivers face daily, and that recognition may prove as valuable as the funds themselves.
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