Governor DeWine launches effort aiming to expand commercial truck parking
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Governor Mike DeWine announced in a news release on Tuesday the launch of a new effort that aims to address the shortage of safe and accessible commercial truck parking throughout Ohio.
The effort will add roughly 1,400 new commercial truck parking spaces throughout the state.
One of the locations selected to receive an expansion to accommodate more commerical truck parking spaces included the State Route 11 Northbound vacant rest areas, located in Mahoning County.
"As Ohio's economy continues to grow, so do the number of truck traveling on Ohio's network of interstates and state routes," said Governor DeWine.
Governor DeWine continued," 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."
Facts presented in the release include that in 2023, trucks logged 27.5 million miles on Ohio roads, and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) estimates that freight volume will increase 26% by 2045.
"Ohio's new truck parking plan is a major step forward in improving safety for ruck drivers and everyone on the road," said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.
Boratyn continued," These projects will make our state a national leader in total truck parking capacity - setting the standard for safety and service."
According to the release, once the expansion project is complete at all sites across the state, the American Transportation Research Institute projects that Ohio will lead the nation in the total number of long-term truck parking spaces available.
Funding for the commercial truck parking expansion plan, totaled at $150 million, comes from the current transportation budget, passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor DeWine earlier in 2025.
