🚚 West Virginia Secures $24.8 Million to Expand Truck Parking on I‑81, I‑64, and I‑79 Introduction

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Raise your coffee cups, truckers — West Virginia just stepped up in a big way. Thanks to a nearly $25 million federal grant, the Mountain State is about to add some much-needed truck parking across three key highways: I‑81, I‑64, and I‑79. If you’ve ever had to “park creative” after Hours of Service ran out, you already know… this is huge.

This move is part of a growing wave of states finally recognizing that without truckers, America stops — and without parking, truckers stop in the wrong places. Here’s the lowdown on where that money’s going and why it matters to drivers on the grind.

Where's the Money Going?

Let’s break it down by highway:

▶ I‑81, Berkeley County
A welcome center will be expanded to include dedicated truck parking spots. No more fighting four-wheelers for a corner to rest.

▶ I‑64, Cabell County
Another welcome center gets a truck-friendly upgrade. More pavement, more spaces, and a little less parking stress.

▶ I‑79, Monongalia County
This is the big play: a former weigh station will be converted into a new truck parking facility — not a fancy rest stop, just solid, safe parking with direct highway access.

Altogether, these three projects form a triangle of relief for OTR and regional drivers running through Appalachia.

Why Drivers Should Actually Care

- Real rest for real drivers
Let’s be honest. Too many truckers are sleeping on exit ramps, Walmart lots (until security taps on the window), or rolling past legal hours just to find a spot. This expansion helps fix that. More spots = less stress = fewer violations.

- Better safety and compliance
Finding legal parking shouldn’t feel like the 13th hour of your shift. With these upgrades, you’re more likely to stop where you should — and not where you’re forced to.

- Peace of mind
You already deal with bad weather, four-wheelers on their phones, and dispatch changing plans mid-route. The last thing you should worry about is where to crash. Now you’ve got more reliable options.

- Regional ripple effect
Truck stops bring more than fuel and snacks — they bring commerce. Towns near these routes may benefit from added foot traffic and business as more drivers pull in.

Voices Behind the Move

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, pushed this project hard. She said:

“Efforts to upgrade facilities … will enhance the safety of our drivers, support the regional and national movement of goods, and encourage economic investments across our state.”

This isn’t lip service — it’s tied directly to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which opened the floodgates for states to finally address long-overdue transportation needs.

How It Got Funded

This isn’t just a case of West Virginia tossing around road money. It came through the BUILD program (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development), a U.S. Department of Transportation initiative. That program handed out $488 million across the country for infrastructure upgrades — and this $24.8 million piece went straight into West Virginia’s truck parking problem.

That tells us something: The feds are listening. Truck parking isn’t some niche issue anymore. It’s a frontline supply chain concern.

What Happens Next?

This isn’t just about funding — it’s about follow-through.

Project design finalization – Engineers and planners will work on layouts, traffic flow, and environmental impact studies.

Construction timelines – Once approvals are done, paving, signage, and access roadwork begin.

Ongoing updates – These federally-funded projects usually require progress reporting and milestone tracking. Delays may happen, but accountability’s baked in.

In short: this isn’t just talk — it’s trucks-on-the-ground improvement that drivers will see over the next couple of years.

The Big Picture

West Virginia’s move is more than regional news. It’s a case study. It says:

Yes, truck parking matters.

Yes, states can fix it.

Yes, it’s worth the money.

Drivers have been sounding the alarm for years, and this time — finally — someone picked up the phone.

This should inspire other states to follow suit. Because whether you’re hauling reefer on I-10 or dry van up I-95, the parking shortage affects everyone.

Bottom Line
West Virginia just showed what happens when lawmakers listen to truckers and back it up with real cash. These upgrades are more than pavement — they’re peace of mind for drivers rolling through the state. And hopefully, they’re just the beginning.

CTA (Call to Action)
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