Logistics

AASHTO is closely monitoring the response by state departments of transportation to this crisis. The situation is fluid and changes can occur at any time.

Updated May 12, 2020

• On May 11 Florida’s Turnpike Enterprises said it resumed food services at its eight plazas, with modified operating hours & new COVID-19 safety protocols:.
• On May 11 PennDOT reopened indoor facilities at three additional rest areas statewide, though tourism services will not available at those locations at this time: https://www.penndot.gov/pages/all-news-details.aspx?newsid=728
• On May 1 the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities suspended its Adopt-A-Highway program in most locations until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic: http://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2020/PR20-0036.shtml
• The New Mexico Department of Transportation mobilized roadblocks on May 1 to restrict traffic coming into Gallup in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the area: https://dot.state.nm.us/content/dam/nmdot/Community/Press_Releases/GallupTrafficControlPlan.pdf
• On April 30 the Hawaii DOT updated its COVID-19 protocols for driver identification credentials, Periodic Motor Vehicle Inspections (PMVI or Safety Checks), and motor vehicle registrations: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/04/30/hdot-covid-19-update-identification-credentials-safety-checks-and-vehicle-registrations/
• The Wyoming DOT approved its first food truck vendor on April 30, which will sell food at the Interstate 25 Welcome Center: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/news/wyoming-officials-working-to-ensure-motorists-have-access-to-food-vend
• On April 28 the Missouri DOT has extended the time-frame for trucks to be able to carry heavier loads on Missouri’s interstates & highways due to COVID19 emergency response needs to June 15.  https://www.modot.org/node/18633
• On April 24 the Michigan DOT released a video highlighting its workers and other essential front line employees are using extra personal protective equipment married to additional safety and cleaning protocols to continue performing their jobs: https://youtu.be/07_a57Ma27w
• On April 23 the Nebraska Department of Transportation launched a joint effort with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) to urge drivers to slow down given the large increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph that coincides with decreased traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/113521/4-23-2020-no-license-to-speed.pdf
• On April 22 the Arizona Department of Transportation flipped the switch on a bevy of online activities and information to feed the interests of homebound kids during the COVID-19 pandemic:  https://azdot.gov/adot-news/adot-kids-activities-designed-future-engineers
• On April 22 Caltrans said it launched a joint effort with the California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic Safety to urge drivers in the state to slow down given a recent 87 percent increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph that coincides with decreased traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://dot.ca.gov/news-releases/news-release-2020-009
• On April 20 members of the Mid-America Association of State Transportation Officers (MAASTO) began coordinating strategies keep the supply chain of critical goods and services intact during the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the central United States: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/042020-MAASTOCollab.aspx
• Caltrans noted on April 17 it will begin allowing temporary operation of food trucks in state rest areas to support truck drivers & motorists traveling as part of COVID-19 response: https://dot.ca.gov/news-releases/news-release-2020-009
• The Alaska DOT&PF staff and contractors noted on April 16 that they are working with communities to ensure ‘the safety of employees and the security of residents where construction projects are planned’ to help reduce the chances of exposure and spread of COVID-19: http://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2020/PR20-0029.shtml
• The Port of Virginia is planning to consolidate its ocean carrier services and adjust gate hours due to reduced demand caused by the COVID-19 outbreak: http://www.portofvirginia.com/terminal-consolidation-and-gate-hour-changes-effective-may-4-2020/
• On April 15, the Idaho Transportation Department said it will allow permitted food trucks to set up at rest areas & offer hot meals to truck drivers and other travelers during the COVID-19 crisis: https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/PressRelease.aspx/Preview/9354
• Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order on April 15 allowing food trucks to operate at eight Arizona Department of Transportation rest areas: https://azdot.gov/adot-news/governor%E2%80%99s-executive-order-permits-food-trucks-adot-rest-areas
• The Wisconsin DOT and the Wisconsin Counties Association re-emphasized on April 15 that the Badger State’s roadways and borders remain open to in-state and out-of-state travelers, though all motorists are still asked to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/news-rel/041420OpenTravel-.aspx
• On April 13 Caltrans began issuing temporary special permits for overweight trucks transporting emergency supplies in support of COVID-19 relief and prevention efforts: https://dot.ca.gov/news-releases/news-release-2020-007
• On April 13 the Oregon DOT issued a notice clarifying limits on its emergency trucking waivers issued for the COVID-19 pandemic: https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/ORDOT-2865686?wgt_ref=ORDOT_WIDGET_8
• On April 10 the Ohio DOT began allowing food trucks to temporarily operate at certain state rest areas: https://transportation.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odot/traveling/rest-areas/rest-area-food-truck-temp-permit
• On April 10, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet extended until June 1 an existing emergency order that temporarily lifts regulatory restrictions on motor carriers delivering goods and services critical to COVID-19 pandemic relief: https://transportation.ky.gov/NewsRoom/COVID-19%20Motor%20Carriers%20Emergency%20Order%20Extension.pdf
• On April 9, though all 13 state weigh stations remain officially closed, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles began offering them as additional rest areas to truckers delivering food and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/news/pressReleases/#/News_Article:13980
• On April 9 the Idaho Transportation Department began beefing up cleaning protocols for key rest areas so they remain open & safe to support the delivery of goods and services during the COVID-19 outbreak: https://itd.idaho.gov/news/itd-increases-frequency-of-cleaning-at-major-rest-areas/
• On April 8, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 121, allowing an increase in the maximum weight limit on certain interstate highways and toll roads from 80,000 pounds (40 tons) tons to 92,000 pounds (46 tons) for vehicles transporting COVID-19 relief supplies: https://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200408d.shtml
• On April 8, the Indiana DOT launched a temporary program that allows licensed food trucks to operate at highway rest areas to provide food for truck drivers & motorists engaged in essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://news.transportation.org/Pages/StateDotNewsDetail.aspx?MessageId=77588
• The Florida DOT started helping establishing checkpoints on March 29 at the Florida/Georgia border along Interstate 95 to check motorists for possible Coronavirus infections. The agency said those roadblocks will not impede freight commerce.
• State DOTs are also seeking flexibility to be able to run heavier trucks if they are carrying COVID-19 supplies or equipment. See for example what the Michigan DOT is doing: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151–521703–,00.html
• FHWA has also given approval to state DOTs to use highway changeable message signs for COVID-19 messages. California, for example, is using all 700 of its electronic message signs to convey COVID-19 information to motorists: https://dot.ca.gov/news-releases/news-release-2020-005