4 • May 1-14, 2020 Nation THETRUCKER.COM FHWA authorizes states to temporarily allow food trucks to serve drivers at rest areas across the nation Linda Garner-Bunch lindag@thetrucker.com With dining rooms closed and many restaurants limited to drive-thru or curbside service during the COVID-19 pandemic, truck drivers have reported difficulty in purchasing prepared food. After all, most drive-thru lanes aren’t equipped to handle a Class 8 tractor-trailer, and many fastfood restaurants don’t permit walk-up orders at the drive-thru window. To help provide alternatives for the nation’s drivers, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a notice in early April allowing states to issue temporary permits for food trucks to operate, in accordance with state laws, at federally funded highway rest areas. “America’s commercial truck drivers are working day and night during this pandemic to ensure critical relief supplies are being delivered to our communities,” said Nicole R. Nason, FHWA administrator. “I am grateful to our state transportation partners for bringing this idea to the department and for their leadership in thinking outside the box. It is critical to make sure truck drivers continue to have access to food services while they’re on the job serving our nation during these challenging times.” The notice specifies that the permits must be rescinded when the federally declared state of emergency ends. Since the FHWA issued the notice, several states have moved to allow food trucks at rest areas, among them Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. Indiana stepped up, allowing food trucks to operate at more than 25 of the state’s rest areas and welcome centers. Two trucks will be issued permits to operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day on a first-come, first served basis, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation. The West Virginia Division of Highways followed suit, also allowing two food trucks per rest area. “Allowing food trucks at our rest areas keeps [truck drivers] from having to leave the interstate to look for something to eat,” said Jacob Bumgarner, operations division director for the state’s division of highways. In Idaho, two food-truck vendors can set up at each rest area; the trucks are not allowed to operate at sites that already have on-site food service. “We heard truck drivers were having difficulty Courtesy: Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest The Digzy Dogs & Grill food truck is shown at the Indiana welcome center on the westbound side of Interstate 94 waiting to serve truck drivers and other essential drivers per special authorization from the Federal Highway Administration. finding hot meals with the restrictions placed on nonessential businesses during the stay-at-home order,” said Nestor Fernandez, mobility services engineer for the Idaho Department of Transportation. “Our goal is to support them as best we can during this pandemic, especially long-haul drivers delivering goods across the U.S.” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order allowing food trucks to operate at eight state DOT rest stops — Interstate 10 at Ehrenberg, Burnt Wells and Sacaton; Interstate 17 at Sunset Point and Christiansen; and Interstate 40 at Haviland, Parks and Meteor Crater. “We want to ensure we’re doing everything we can to support the truck drivers who are working long hours to our grocery stores stocked and our medical professionals equipped,” Ducey said. Food-truck vendors may also operate at several Ohio rest areas, excluding areas along the Ohio Turnpike. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, food trucks are not allowed to sell prepackaged items, such as chips, snack cakes or candy, or sell any beverages other than coffee. This stipulation ensures that on-premise vending machines, operated by blind or visually impaired small-business owners, retain their business. Truck drivers in California also have access to food-truck fare at rest stops, according to the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), as noted in an executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. “The restrictions for commercial activities … are suspended for a period of 60 days, to the extent necessary to allow commercially licensed food trucks to operate and sell food in designated safety roadside rest areas,” the order reads. The Arkansas Department of Transportation and Arkansas Trucking Association created a system that allowed food trucks to operate at four rest areas within the state — on Interstate 40 at the eastbound and westbound rest areas at Big Piney and on Interstate 30 at the eastbound and westbound rest areas at Social Hill. “Allowing food trucks to temporarily operate in these areas will give truckers easier access to meals. The department considers it a privilege to help the truckers in this small way. We appreciate the job they are doing to keep commodities flowing in Arkansas and across the nation during these difficult times,” said Lorie Tudor, director of the Arkansas DOT. “As (truck drivers) continue to protect our health, we have to make sure they are equipped to maintain their own physical and mental wellbeing,” said Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. “We can’t shake their hands or hug their necks right now, but the next best way to show people you love and appreciate them is to feed them, to break bread and meet needs.” 8 NYC opens temporary overnight parking locations for trucks THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES NEW YORK CITY — The New York City Department of Transportation has opened two temporary overnight parking locations to assist drivers hauling COVID-19 relief and essential products. The rest areas are located in Hunts Point and Staten Island. To help truckers safely meet Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FM- SCA) mandatory rest periods, the city has established the temporary rest areas at two strategic freight hubs. Each area will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for rest periods during the day or overnight, with bathrooms, mobile lights, trash cans and security patrol. Below are details about each location. Drivers should keep their vehicles secure, as the City is not responsible for any stolen items. BRONX 1400 Viele Ave. Hunts Point Food Distribution Center (Entrance on Halleck Street between the Produce Market and Baldor Foods) Capacity: 55 trucks STATEN ISLAND North Washington Avenue Global Container Terminal (From westbound I-278, take exit 3/Western Avenue, continue west and follow signs to rest stop; from eastbound I-278, take exit 4/ Forest Avenue and follow signs to rest stop) Capacity: 25 trucks 8 USPS 972 Volume 33, Number 9 May 1-14, 2020 The Trucker is a semi-monthly, national newspaper for the trucking industry, published by The Trucker Media Group at 1123 S. 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