On July 15, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that 30 infrastructure projects across 26 states will receive a combined $488 million in federal funding. These grants, part of the DOT’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, aim to enhance road safety, improve multimodal transportation systems, and stimulate local economies.
Among the standout investments are significant allocations for truck parking expansion and multimodal infrastructure upgrades, addressing long-standing issues in freight mobility and driver safety.
“From making families safer on our roads to expanding our ports, these grant selections reflect our commitment to unleashing America’s full potential with envy-of-the-world infrastructure,” said Secretary Duffy. “We will continue to move quickly to get money out the door to get dirt moving.”
Prioritizing Roads, Bridges, and Freight Systems
Of the $488 million awarded:
- 77% is earmarked for roads and bridges, supporting what Duffy called “the arteries of the American economy.”
- $35 million is allocated for port infrastructure improvements.
- $3 million will fund multimodal surface transportation projects, designed to enhance connectivity between freight, rail, port, and road systems.
Spotlight- West Virginia Secures $24.8 Million for Truck Parking
The West Virginia Division of Highways will receive $24.8 million to expand interstate truck parking facilities along I-81, I-64, and I-79. The funds will help alleviate critical parking shortages in Berkeley, Cabell, and Monongalia counties, areas with high freight activity.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, strongly supported the grant application.
“Efforts to upgrade facilities along West Virginia portions of major interstates will enhance the safety of our drivers, support the regional and national movement of goods, and encourage economic investments across our state,” said Capito.
According to West Virginia’s 2023 State Freight Plan, the state offers 1,860 truck parking spaces across 60 public and commercial facilities. However, these spots are increasingly overutilized, especially along I-81, where drivers frequently resort to parking in retail lots due to the lack of dedicated rest areas. I-64 and I-79 also operate near or at full capacity during peak hours.
The federal grant will cover 70% of the $35.5 million project cost, targeting a longstanding safety and logistics concern that affects both drivers and freight efficiency.
Why Truck Parking Matters
Truck parking remains one of the most pressing infrastructure gaps in the U.S. logistics system. According to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), lack of safe and available parking is consistently ranked among the top concerns of commercial drivers. Inadequate parking forces drivers to either stop early and lose productivity or park in unsafe or unauthorized locations posing risks to both cargo and communities.
Investments like the one in West Virginia help align national freight infrastructure with the demands of a growing e-commerce and supply chain economy, while also enhancing compliance with federal hours-of-service regulations.
Washington State: $2 Million for Everett Intermodal Yard
Snohomish County received $2 million to upgrade the Everett Intermodal Yard, including:
- Construction of 13,000 feet of new mainline track
- Reconfiguration of existing tracks for yard storage
Rep. Rick Larsen praised the grant, noting:
“In northwest Washington state, infrastructure means jobs. I will continue to support federal investments… that relieve congestion, improve safety and spur economic growth.”
Pennsylvania: $25 Million to Modernize Bristol Port
The Bucks County Redevelopment Authority secured $25 million to overhaul the Bristol port, including:
- Building a 1,100-foot dock
- Upgrading offloading equipment
- Dredging 70,000 cubic yards of material
- Enhancing port-rail connectivity
Cleveland, Ohio: $900,000 for Planning Central Transit Hub
Cleveland will receive $900,000 to plan a centralized lakefront transportation hub and evaluate how to better connect freight movement between the Port of Cleveland and the interstate system.
North Dakota: $4 Million for MAGIC Project
Ward County, ND, will use $4 million to fund the Minot’s Accessible, Growth-Driving Intermodal Connector (MAGIC) project. This initiative aims to improve freight mobility along U.S. Highways 2, 52, and 83, fostering long-term economic development through better connectivity.
BUILD Program: Supporting Regional and Rural Infrastructure
The BUILD grant program supports surface transportation projects with significant local or regional importance, including:
– Road and bridge modernization
– Port expansion
– Freight rail improvement
– Transit system planning
This round of funding emphasized rural and economically underserved areas, reinforcing the Department of Transportation’s focus on equity, sustainability, and economic resilience.
The latest round of DOT BUILD grants marks a pivotal investment in U.S. infrastructure modernization, with special attention to truck parking capacity, freight mobility, and multimodal connectivity. As freight volumes continue to increase and supply chains become more complex, these strategic investments are critical to keeping America’s economy moving—safely and efficiently.
