The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has unveiled a $31 million initiative aimed at significantly enhancing truck parking availability at five strategic locations throughout the state. This ambitious project is designed to tackle one of the most pressing issues in the trucking industry—the critical shortage of safe and accessible truck parking—which plays a crucial role in driver safety and operational efficiency, according to CTDOT’s official statement.
Phase 1 Begins at Middletown Rest Area
The first step of this comprehensive initiative is already underway at the Middletown rest area on Interstate 91 northbound. This phase involves the addition of 11 new truck parking spaces, boosting capacity at the location by more than 40%. It marks just the beginning of a broader effort to address parking shortages statewide.
Long-Term Plan to Add Over 180 New Parking Spaces
CTDOT’s expansion plan aims to deliver more than 180 new truck parking spaces across multiple sites in Connecticut, including Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon—all before the decade’s end.
Currently, Connecticut offers around 420 public truck parking spaces at rest areas and service plazas. By the time this project is complete, the state’s capacity will increase to roughly 600 spaces, representing a 44% overall rise in truck parking availability.
Addressing Truckers’ Concerns
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park along state highways,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, who keep our economy moving.”
Praise from Industry Leaders
John Blair, President of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, praised the initiative, emphasizing the longstanding impact of insufficient parking on the trucking industry.
“The Motor Transport Association of CT wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on,” said Blair. “The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide-ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry’s longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer.”
This initiative represents a critical step forward for improving the trucking infrastructure in Connecticut. By the end of the decade, drivers will have access to expanded, safer parking options, which will not only increase roadway safety but also improve working conditions for truckers and reduce environmental harm.
Source: Truckers News
