A $12 million investment from the U.S. Department of Transportation will expand truck parking options near the Port of Savannah, addressing a growing need for safe, designated spaces for drivers serving one of the nation’s busiest container ports.
The Port of Savannah Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking Area will be built next to Highway 21 in Garden City, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who announced the project Wednesday at Gulfstream Aerospace. The facility will include 275 commercial vehicle spaces, providing parking for truckers who often struggle to find safe places to stop between hauls, Duffy said.
“Truck parking is one of the most persistent challenges faced by American truckers today, and under President Trump and Secretary
Duffy, we’re tackling it head on,” Federal Motor Carrier Administrator Derek D. Barrs said in a press release. “This investment will deliver hundreds of new spots across the country, helping hardworking truck drivers get the rest they need and reducing dangerous roadside parking on some of America’s most important corridors.”
Duffy said that despite the timing during election season, improving truck parking has bipartisan support because both Republican and Democrat lawmakers recognize how critical it is for truckers to have safe places to stop and rest.
“We're spending the money as well as possible on behalf of the American taxpayer and trying to give the greatest result for the men and women who use the infrastructure,” Duffy said.
Iowa, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin were among the 12 states selected to receive funding for truck parking projects.
"We look at the biggest impact with the dollar that we're spending and there's a lot of truck traffic coming through because of your port," Duffy said of Garden City's selection. "We wanted to have a great impact and Savannah was one of those sites that won the day. It's based on need."
According to the news release, 40% of truckers spend more than an hour looking for parking, costing the economy billions of dollars in lost time. Duffy said limited options force some drivers to park in unsafe locations.
“American truckers are finally getting the attention and support they deserve thanks to President Trump,” Duffy said in the release. “These patriotic men and women work hard to ensure our store shelves are stocked, our gas stations are fueled, and our packages are delivered. They shouldn’t have to spend over an hour looking for a safe place to rest at the end of the day. This nationwide investment will make America’s truckers safer, enhance our supply chains, and reduce freight costs.”
Duffy said the country has not seen this level of investment in the truck parking market.
"On a lot of our interstates, you'll see trucks propped on the on ramp and exit ramp. It is dangerous when they have to find those kinds of places to park," said Duffy. "These kind of investments that we make are going to be economic drivers that happen through well-rested truckers."
No timetable was given for construction, though Duffy said he hopes work will begin soon.
"We like to see these projects built as quickly as possible," said Duffy.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Federal grant funds new truck parking in Garden City
