Truck Parking Expansion Now Begins on I-80 in Wyoming

I-80 Truck Parking Areas Close Near Evanston for Major Expansion

Commercial truck drivers traveling Interstate 80 near Evanston, Wyoming, will have fewer parking options through the end of October as work begins on a major truck parking expansion.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has closed both the eastbound and westbound truck parking areas near mile marker 6. The parking areas are located near the Bear River exit outside Evanston.

The closures began July 13, 2026, and are expected to remain in place through October 31. WYDOT said both parking areas will reopen before the winter season.

The temporary closures are part of a larger project that will add about 365 truck parking spaces along I-80 in southwest Wyoming.

I-80 Truck Parking Areas Closed Near Evanston

Crews from Whitaker Construction have started preparing the site for the project. Early work includes cleaning the existing parking areas, excavation, and construction of a temporary access road.

Truck drivers will not be able to use either truck parking area while this phase of construction is underway.

WYDOT said drivers should also expect shoulder work near the project area. Temporary lane closures may occur in both the eastbound and westbound lanes during the summer.

The work is taking place near mile marker 6.68 in Uinta County, just east of Evanston and close to the Utah state line.

Drivers who regularly use the truck parking areas for rest breaks, staging, or overnight stops will need to find other legal parking locations until the areas reopen.

Drivers May Need Alternate Parking Through October

The loss of truck parking may affect trip planning for drivers using I-80 through southwest Wyoming.

Drivers approaching their hours-of-service limits may need to stop earlier than usual. Nearby truck stops and other legal parking areas could also see heavier demand while the WYDOT sites are closed.

Company drivers, owner-operators, and fleet dispatchers may need to adjust routes or break plans before reaching Evanston. Waiting until the final part of a driving shift to search for truck parking could increase the risk of finding nearby locations full.

Possible shoulder work and lane closures may also cause short delays near the construction zone.

Safety departments and dispatch teams may want to alert drivers who regularly travel between Utah and Wyoming. The closure affects both directions of I-80, making it important for eastbound and westbound drivers to plan ahead.

The truck parking areas are expected to reopen by October 31, but that date does not mark the end of the full project.

Wyoming Plans About 365 New Parking Spaces

The larger project will expand the current parking areas and create about 365 truck parking spaces.

The project includes excavation, concrete paving, roadway lighting, and new signs along I-80. Crews will also install sheet piling and build an off-road vehicle trail as part of the overall construction work.

WYDOT awarded the construction contract in May 2026. The contract is worth approximately $40 million and was awarded to Utah-based Whitaker Construction Co. Inc.

The full contract completion date is October 31, 2028.

WYDOT received more than $26.6 million through the federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant program. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation during the 2023-2024 funding cycle.

The federal funding will support construction of the new truck parking spaces near Evanston. The total construction contract is larger than the federal grant, so other funding will also be needed to cover the full cost.

Truck Parking Project Could Help During Winter Closures

The new truck parking areas could provide an important staging location during severe winter weather.

Interstate 80 is a major freight route through Wyoming. Snow, high winds, crashes, and poor road conditions can lead to travel restrictions or highway closures during the winter.

When I-80 closes, large numbers of trucks may be forced to stop near exits, ramps, local roads, or other available parking areas. Limited truck parking can create congestion and safety concerns, especially when drivers have few legal places to wait.

Adding hundreds of truck parking spaces near Evanston could give drivers a more organized place to stop during future closures.

The location is also important because Evanston is near Wyoming’s western border. Eastbound trucks entering the state from Utah may be able to stop before traveling farther into areas affected by severe weather.

The expansion will not prevent I-80 closures or remove all winter delays. However, it may reduce the number of trucks parked along shoulders, ramps, and nearby roads while drivers wait for the highway to reopen.

For fleets, the project could also provide another location for drivers to stage during weather events. That may help dispatchers manage shutdowns and restart freight movement once travel restrictions are lifted.

Full Truck Parking Expansion Will Take Several Seasons

WYDOT plans to reopen the existing truck parking areas before the 2026 winter season. However, the full project will continue beyond this year.

The contract completion date of October 31, 2028, means construction may continue over several seasons.

Drivers should not assume all 365 new parking spaces will be available when the current areas reopen in October 2026. The reopening will restore access to the existing sites while additional expansion work continues.

Future construction may bring more shoulder work, lane closures, or changes to truck parking access near the site.

Truck drivers and motor carriers operating on I-80 may need to continue watching for WYDOT updates as the project moves forward.

Short-Term Truck Parking Loss Could Bring Long-Term Benefits

The immediate effect of the project is a temporary reduction in truck parking near Evanston.

Drivers using I-80 through southwest Wyoming may need to change parking plans through October 31. Fleets and dispatchers may also need to identify alternate stopping points and allow more time for drivers to find legal truck parking.

The long-term goal is to create a much larger truck parking area that can support daily rest needs and provide space during winter highway closures.

Once completed, the project is expected to add about 365 truck parking spaces along one of Wyoming’s busiest freight routes. Until then, drivers should prepare for temporary closures and possible construction delays near mile marker 6.