John Gallagher | May 22, 2009 2:12PM EDT
The Virginia Department of Transportation scaled back its plan to close a group of rest stops in one of the heaviest truck routes in the country in a move the American Trucking Associations says will curtail driver fatigue.
In response to concerns about adequate truck parking and long distances between rest stops along Interstate 81, VDOT closed 19 rest areas versus an original plan to close 25, and will add 225 truck parking spaces at the remaining locations.
VDOT also said it will replace its two-hour time limit at safety rest areas with a “no overnight parking” policy. It will also seek authority to commercialize rest areas.
“Creating new parking and removing two-hour parking restrictions at the remaining safety rest areas is critical for preventing driver fatigue and helping drivers meet federal Hours of Service regulations,” said ATA Senior Vice President and General Counsel Richard Holcomb.
Contact John Gallagher at jgallagher@joc.com.
