BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Statewide truck parking options will expand for the first time in decades, transportation officials announced Monday, with 18 new parking spaces in the Lehigh Valley by the end of 2026.
It’s part of a statewide effort to expand safe rest options for commercial drivers, with 1,202 new spaces in 133 locations overall, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation.
"Truck parking is a nationwide issue, and with the high volume of freight traffic coming through Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem.”Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll
In addition, the PA Turnpike is evaluating opportunities for more than 600 additional spaces across its system, the release said.
Officials say the project will give long-haul drivers more options to safely park and rest, helping to meet federal hours-of-service requirements and improve highway safety.
"Truck parking is a nationwide issue, and with the high volume of freight traffic coming through Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in the release.
“As a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce.
"By adding these spots — and looking at ways to add even more — we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements."
Lehigh Valley locations
According to a list provided by PennDOT, Lehigh County will see five new spaces off Interstate 78 westbound at the on-ramp of Exit 45 at State Route 863 — Lynnport/New Smithville.
Northampton County also will see 13 new spaces at the following locations:
- Five spaces on Interstate 78 eastbound at the on-ramp of Exit 67, State Route 412 — Hellertown/Bethlehem
- Five spaces on Interstate 78 eastbound at the on-ramp of Exit 75, State Route 611 — Easton/Philadelphia
- Three spaces on Interstate 78 westbound at the on-ramp of Exit 75, State Route 611 — Easton/Philadelphia
According to PennDOT, the designated spaces will be established in areas with no sight or safety concerns, weigh stations used for PSP motor carrier enforcement, and various other locations within the highway right of way.
Spots will be marked with truck-parking signage to be installed by PennDOT.
To make it easier for drivers to find these spots, PennDOT also launched a “Public Truck Parking” feature on 511PA.com and the 511PA mobile app, displaying both existing and upcoming parking locations.
'Essential to keeping our economy moving'
Truck parking shortages have long been documented, including a 2023 study by the State Transportation Advisory Committee, which urged the state to repurpose state-owned surplus properties for truck parking.
PennDOT has since created a Truck Parking Task Force and said it continues to work with municipalities and industry partners to develop local solutions.
“Truck drivers are essential to keeping our economy moving — but they need safe places to stop and rest,” said Rebecca Oyler, chief operating officer of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.
“Every new space added means one more trucker who has a safe and secure place to stop tonight.”
LehighValleyNews.com in March documented as part of its Road Ahead project the sharp rise in traffic amid warehouse and population booms.
Local traffic has polled as one of the few persistent complaints Lehigh Valley residents have with the region, Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, said in the report.
Borick one year asked survey participants what words came to mind when they thought of Route 22. The phrases "trauma," "battle zone" and "hellscape" came up, he said.
"From an arc of the last 20, 25 years, it's one of those issues that is perennially a point of concern," Borick said.
An analysis of PennDOT data for the project showed that since 2015, the busiest portion of any road in the region is Interstate 78/Route 22 between the highways’ merge point and Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township.
Data also showed traffic jumped more than 30% on Route 22 between Routes 512 and 33 in Northampton County, and that Route 33 had surpassed Interstate 78 as the second-busiest highway in the region.
