Illinois is set to build over 100 new truck parking spots across two rest areas on Interstate 55 and one on I-24 with a whopping investment of $197.5 million in 22 freight mobility projects. The funding is inclusive of federal National Highway Freight Program funds, with $50.3 million to be spent on the projects at the Fort Massac Rest Area on I-24 and I-55’s Coalfield and Rail Splitter rest areas. These developments aim to improve truckers’ safety and rest opportunities while delivering a boost to the state’s freight mobility capabilities.
“We are still in the design phase, but our estimated total number of new parking spaces, including all three rest areas, will be between 120 and 140,” Paul Wappel, IDOT spokesman, said in an interview with Transport Topics. “We anticipate the Rail Splitter Rest Area project will go to letting (open for bids) in the fall of 2023. The Coalfield Rest Area project and Fort Massac Rest Area project are both anticipated to go to letting during the summer-fall of 2024.”
Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, recently announced grants for 22 infrastructure projects aimed at addressing traffic jams, improving mobility and boosting the supply chain across the state. Valued at a total of $2.5 trillion, the projects include $40 million for capacity upgrades at the Illinois Route 17 interchange with I-57 in Kankakee, $4.3 million for improvements at the Kaskaskia Regional Port District and $18.8 million for a new Illinois U.S. 50 bridge over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. With 1.6 billion tons of freight flowing in and out of the state each year, Illinois is among the top three states for freight activity and the transportation hub of North America, according to the governor’s office.
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) officials are working to address the state’s outdated rest areas and high demand for truck parking. Multiple studies have revealed that 57% of the interstate system has greater demand for truck parking than capacity, and the average age of rest areas is 35 years old, with excessive spacing between many rest areas. On average, rest areas are located 52 miles apart, with some traveling segments having rest areas more than 70 miles away.
Currently, the state has 53 rest areas with an average of 25 truck parking stalls, providing restrooms, drinking water, traveler information, and picnic areas. The Rail Splitter Rest Area, 5 miles north of Springfield, and the Coalfield rest area, 25 miles south of Springfield, are receiving funding for updates.
IDOT has identified I-55 (and I-57) as having among the highest average volume of trucks parking on shoulder areas due to a lack of available safe parking spaces. IDOT is working to increase available truck parking slots, leveraging federal and state funds to maximize available resources.
Illinois has a total of 11,262 truck parking places, including 90 public areas with 1,622 available truck parking slots, and 206 private truck stops with 9,640 spaces. With truckers facing challenges in finding rest areas and safe, available parking spaces on the interstates, IDOT’s efforts will help ensure safer, more efficient travel for all.
Source: Transport Topics
