Food trucks temporarily OK at interstate rest areas

[Kniwt]

The Great Falls Tribune reports:
https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2020/04/06/notice-could-allow-food-trucks-rest-areas-during-covid-19/2954217001/

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.

[Max Rockatansky]

That should be a thing all the time.  I would love to stop to get tacos atop Tejon Pass rather than that fast food crap in Gorman. 

[hbelkins]

I've seen some community organization (a youth sports league, I think) set up a concession stand to sell hot dogs, etc., at the I-79 rest areas just south of Weston, WV. I'm guessing WVDOT looked the other way.

[AlexandriaVA]

My understanding is that fast food restaurants and commercial truck stops near exits in rural areas lobby pretty heavily for the ban on dining vendors at rest areas. Obviously they'd have a hard time competing with the convenience of a quick service place in a rest area.

Not saying I support the ban, but the motivation for it is pretty obvious.

https://www.overdriveonline.com/rest-area-parking-possible-expansion-of-services-for-truckers-sparks-debate/

"FHWA should not permit any food sales at interstate rest areas that undercut highway-based businesses and localities,"  said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "Congress enacted the ban on rest area commercialization to avoid state-approved monopolies on the Interstate System as well as to protect off-highway businesses and localities. The underlying purpose behind the general ban on offering automotive and other commercial services on the interstate right-of-way remains as strong today as it was when the legislation was first enacted."

[Max Rockatansky]

My understanding is that fast food restaurants and commercial truck stops near exits in rural areas lobby pretty heavily for the ban on dining vendors at rest areas. Obviously they'd have a hard time competing with the convenience of a quick service place in a rest area.

Not saying I support the ban, but the motivation for it is pretty obvious.

https://www.overdriveonline.com/rest-area-parking-possible-expansion-of-services-for-truckers-sparks-debate/

"FHWA should not permit any food sales at interstate rest areas that undercut highway-based businesses and localities,"  said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "Congress enacted the ban on rest area commercialization to avoid state-approved monopolies on the Interstate System as well as to protect off-highway businesses and localities. The underlying purpose behind the general ban on offering automotive and other commercial services on the interstate right-of-way remains as strong today as it was when the legislation was first enacted."

It really didn't do much good, most local places near Interstates got long driven out of business by chains long ago.  It would be nice to see exempts made for smaller local operations that weren't multi-billion corporations.  Considering all this virus stuff is killing smaller eateries already I'm sure this could be a small boon if properly explored.