Florida Construction News staff writer
Federal and state transportation officials on Thursday announced the start of construction on five new truck parking expansion projects along Florida’s Interstate 4 corridor, part of a broader effort to address a nationwide shortage of safe parking for commercial drivers.
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Derek D. Barrs, and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue joined state and local officials to break ground on the projects, which are expected to add hundreds of new parking spaces across Central Florida.
The initiative is aimed at easing what officials describe as a persistent shortage of truck parking that forces drivers to spend significant time searching for legal parking spaces. Transportation data cited by federal officials indicates roughly 40% of truck drivers spend more than an hour each day looking for parking, contributing to safety concerns and economic inefficiencies.
Officials said the projects are intended to provide safer, designated rest areas for commercial drivers and reduce instances of trucks parking along highway shoulders or in unsafe locations.
“The Trump Administration is aggressively addressing the truck parking shortage and delivering much-needed relief for the millions of hardworking men and women who fuel our economy,” McMaster said. “Our truckers deserve a safe place to rest.”
Barrs said the lack of available parking often forces drivers into difficult decisions on compliance and safety.
“Truck drivers shouldn’t have to choose between following the law and finding a safe place to park,” Barrs said. “These new parking spaces will help drivers get the rest they need, reduce dangerous roadside parking, and make one of Florida’s busiest freight corridors safer for everyone.”
Florida transportation officials said the investment reflects a coordinated effort to improve freight mobility along one of the state’s most heavily traveled commercial corridors.
“These new I-4 truck parking sites reflect a shared commitment to improving roadway safety, relieving congestion, and strengthening the supply chain,” Perdue said. “Florida is getting more out of every dollar by approaching these projects with a focus on innovation and smart delivery.”
The work is supported in part by a $180 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant awarded to Florida, which will fund the addition of 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor, a key freight route that carries a majority of the state’s consumer goods, according to officials.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the first three sites located in Seminole and Volusia counties. Those projects are expected to be completed by mid-2027. Two additional sites in Osceola and Orange counties are scheduled to begin construction in 2027.
