The State of Ohio has announced a $150 million plan to build more than 1,400 new truck parking spaces at 33 sites across the state.

Why it matters: Truck parking has been a big problem for many drivers. There are only about one place to park for every 11 trucks, forcing drivers to park in unsafe areas or keep driving tired.

• The new truck lots will go in 19 counties, including Allen, Belmont, Franklin, Mahoning, Summit, Warren, and more.
• Ohio currently has about 14,200 truck parking spots, but most of them are at private truck stops, not state sites.
• The new construction will more than double parking on ODOT-owned land and will include lights and restroom facilities.

The details: Construction is set to start in 2026 and finish by the end of 2027, reported the Ohio Department of Transportation.

• The state reviewed its own properties to pick the best locations for these long-term parking areas.
• This project is paid for by the transportation budget passed by the state earlier this year.

The bigger picture: Ohio DOT says this effort will make the state a national leader for truck parking spots owned by the state. In 2023, trucks logged 27.5 million miles in Ohio. Freight volume is expected to go up by 26% by 2045.

This is part of a larger push to support truckers and to help keep highways safer for everyone.