WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that he secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve truck parking availability and safety along Interstate 57 in Effingham and Marion counties.
“Having grown up in the trucking business, I know firsthand how important it is for our truck drivers to have safe, reliable places to pull over and rest,” said Bost. “These hardworking men and women spend countless hours on the road delivering the goods our families and businesses depend on. The last thing they should have to worry about is finding a safe place to park. That’s why I’ve made expanding truck parking a priority, and I’m proud to secure this funding to improve safety, strengthen our transportation infrastructure, and keep Southern Illinois moving forward.”
This announcement comes after Bost sent a letter of support to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to emphasize the urgency of these improvements. The $12.6 million investment will support reconstruction and expansion of the Green Creek South-Bound and Post Oak South-Bound rest areas, including the construction of new facilities, utility and drainage improvements, and the addition of approximately 38 truck parking spaces. Additionally, the project will deploy Truck Parking Information Management System, including automated vehicle detection, electronic kiosks, and security equipment.
Interstate 57 is a critical transportation corridor for Southern Illinois, connecting local businesses, farmers, and manufacturers to markets across the country. These improvements will address truck parking shortages while bolstering the safe and efficient movement of freight across the region.
