Notice could allow food trucks at rest areas to serve truck drivers during COVID-19

[TexasTowelie]

The Federal Administration (FHWA) Friday issued a notice to State Departments of Transportation that the agency is suspending enforcement measures under the Federal-aid Highway Program for states that choose to permit commercial food trucks to operate and sell food, in accordance with state laws, in designated federally funded interstate 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 FHWA Administrator Nicole R. Nason. “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.”

By statute, commercial activity in the federally funded Interstate right-of-way is prohibited with limited exceptions. The FHWA administrator has the discretion to take any action deemed appropriate to bring a state into compliance with these federal requirements.

However, given the extreme and unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nason is choosing not to take remedial measures against states that allow food trucks to provide food in rest areas off the federally funded interstate right-of-way for the duration of the national emergency declared by the president in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Read more: https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2020/04/06/notice-could-allow-food-trucks-rest-areas-during-covid-19/2954217001/

[underpants]

1. Curious to opinions on this. Traffic is down 40%

at least from a call I was on two weeks ago. Info from Va. VDOT.

[2naSalit]

2. Trucks are about all there is on the Interstate hwys right now

in my area. Food is hard to come by in good times when you're 80 ft long and need a place to park while getting food. If the restaurants can't be open, food trucks at RAs is a good idea. Generally they provide hot cooked meals and provide distance during transactions.

Besides, that would save the drivers about an hour or two per meal. You lose at least twenty minutes of drive time just slowing down to roll over a scale at the POE. Being able to hop out, get a meal to eat at a picnic table or whatever, hit the rest room and back on the road can save each driver a couple hours of down time each day.