AASHTO Journal - State DOTs Aim for Truck Parking, Rest Area Improvements

The Ohio Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Department of Transportation recently announced plans to expand truck parking and revitalize highway rest areas for motorists and truckers alike in their respective states.

[Above photo by Ohio DOT]

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) and Pamela Boratyn, Ohio DOT director, recently unveiled the details of a new plan to add at least 1,400 new truck parking spaces statewide.

Following an extensive review of Ohio DOT-owned property, the agency identified 33 sites in 19 counties where long-term truck parking lots will be created or expanded; more than doubling current truck parking capacity at Ohio DOT-maintained sites.

In total, there are currently around 14,200 truck parking spaces available across Ohio, with most located at privately owned truck stops or businesses.

“As Ohio’s economy continues to grow, so do the number of trucks traveling on Ohio’s network of interstates and state routes,” said Gov. DeWine in a statement. “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.”

“Ohio’s new truck parking plan is a major step forward in improving safety for truck drivers and everyone on the road,” added Boratyn. “These projects will make our state a national leader in total truck parking capacity; setting the standard for safety and service.”

Ohio’s commercial-truck parking plan is funded with $150 million from the current transportation budget which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by the governor earlier this year. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with all work expected to be complete by the end of 2027. Each site will include lighting and restroom facilities to support driver safety and comfort.

Meanwhile, MassDOT is updating the state’s $750 million plan to modernize and maintain 18 highway service plazas Massachusetts. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the full construction schedule expected to be shared later this fall.

Led by national service plaza operator Applegreen, this transformative effort will rebuild or renovate all 18 plazas –delivering critical upgrades to facilities, amenities, and sustainability infrastructure.

[Editor’s note: MassDOT recently broke ground on a $99 million bridge replacement and interchange improvement project for Route 27 over Route 9; a “modern reimagining” of a key highway interchange and will deliver lasting safety and mobility benefits for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike.]

Additionally, Applegreen and MassDOT are launching a community engagement process this fall. Dubbed the Consensus Building Institute or CBI, this locally based facilitation organization will lead the effort to gather input from community members on plaza programming, vendor mix, and regional needs.

While key aspects of plaza design and function are governed under MassDOT’s contract with Applegreen, the engagement process is designed to ensure that site-specific experiences reflect the character and priorities of the communities they serve.

“Massachusetts’ highway service plazas are long overdue for a complete reset,” said Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT secretary and CEO, in a statement. “This investment will deliver the kind of infrastructure travelers expect in a world-class state – and do so in a way that supports local workers and businesses.”