VA weigh station banning in a single day parking “attributable to rising incidents of littering, vandalism, and unsanitary practices”

A Virginia weigh station will not permit in a single day truck parking “attributable to rising incidents of littering, vandalism, and unsanitary practices,” officers say. 

The momentary allowance for in a single day truck parking started in Might 2022 when VDOT closed the Troutville Relaxation Space situated on southbound I-81 close to mile marker 158 in Botetourt County, Virginia for building. In the course of the closure, drivers have been allowed to park in a single day on the Troutville Weigh Station on southbound I-81 at mile marker 149.

The development added 12 truck parking spots to the remaining space throughout the venture, which has been accomplished. For some time, VDOT continued to permit truck drivers to park on the weigh station as a technique to fight the common truck parking drawback, however as of this week, the Virginia DMV has requested Virginia State Police to begin imposing the reinstated truck parking ban. 

“As a lot as we’ve been happy to supply this service to truck drivers passing via our Stephens Metropolis and Troutville weigh stations, we’re not in a position to present it attributable to rising incidents of littering, vandalism, and unsanitary practices,” director of communications Brandy Brubaker stated, reported WDBJ 7. “Along with the Troutville Relaxation Space, truck drivers within the space can go to the close by Pilot Journey Heart in Raphine.”

Truck drivers and native cops say that the stoppage of the momentary weigh station parking will solely exacerbate the truck parking problem, which has had lethal penalties in some areas. 

“For years, we’ve had points with truck parking on the 158 relaxation space,” Virginia State Police Sergeant Rick Garletts stated. “It will refill inside after which again out onto the interstate which clearly brought about issues. We’ve had a pair fatalities there.”

“The most important drawback is taking a look at truck stops round right here, there’s nowhere to park,” stated Shawn Canada, a truck driver passing via the realm. “It simply makes it laborious for drivers attempting to make a dwelling on a regular basis.”

“If we are able to’t cease, if we’re nonetheless working on our hours, you’re caught,” Canada stated. “There’s loads of occasions we’ll see drivers piled up down the streets and that’s not protected to be on the facet of the freeway out right here. There’s simply not sufficient parking.”

“I want there was extra free parking as a result of loads of the vans stops are actually charging for parking and these relaxation areas are key,” he added.