Pennsylvania has closed all 35 of its highway rest stops to all activity following the declaration of a state of emergency.
A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Transportation said the closure impacts not only the limited facilities at the rest stops, like bathrooms and vending machines. It also shuts down parking access as well.
“We are reevaluating,” spokeswoman Alexis Campbell told FreightWaves in a text message. “However, we must also consider the ability of our contract cleaners to provide staffing adequate to maintain clean, safe and sanitary facilities while limiting the exposure risk to staff and public.”
The rest stops in Pennsylvania have limited facilities but also have one highly attractive feature – they are free and legal to park. As a truck driver noted in a Facebook truckers group, the alternative will now be the shoulders of the highway. (Though truckers pulling goods that exempt them from the current Hours of Service rule may be able to spend some more time searching for better parking than a shoulder.)
The closures took pace at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 17. The state, in its announcement, noted that there already had been closures in place in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties, all of them in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Ohio, where there also is a state of emergency in place, a spokeswoman for that state’s DOT said there are no restrictions in place at its rest stops.
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Mark Wilson
Any trucker who gets a load to deliver in Pa.should refuse to do it.
LewK
Another example of the stupidity of the governor!
How does he think the grocery stores get their supplies keeping trucks moving should be priority #1
Not A Trucker
Absolutely ridiculous policy. If trucking stops or is impeded we will exacerbate the current situation into complete chaos within a matter of days. We simply cannot move goods around without trucks, and they are perhaps the most critical traffic on the road right now, more so than ever. By virtue of geography, many trucks have to pass through PA on I-80 and I-76/70 (and it’s not cheap). Removing truck stops deprives them of needed food, restrooms, and respite. Not providing at least coffee and some hot fast food is unreasonable, given that all the surrounding states are keeping their stops and plazas going.
John C
That is the dumbest thing I have heard. If a driver needs to pull over to rest so as not to fall asleep at the wheel, how is he or she going to spread the virus from sitting in the car or truck. We have the dumbest government in the history of the world.
Sam
This sounds like the state is looking to have several fatalities due to people stopped on the shoulder and tired drivers.
Anne Tauts
Closing the rest stops is absolutely absurd. Where are they supposed to go.
This will only cause bigger problems.
Monica
WHO AND HOW DO THEY THINK THE STATE IS GETTING SUPPLIES !!!??? TRUCKERS !!! YOU BETTER START TREATING THEM RIGHT !!!
Ronny and Andrea Claes
I am out of hrs
What do I do?
Gary Lawrence
How about snowbirds returning from the south? Old folks with small bladders and large recreational vehicles!!!😱
Monica
Stop at Them anyways or THEY – PA CAN STARVE and Wipe Their arses with Leaves !!