Truck Stops · Nebraska · November 6, 2026

Nebraska Wins $7.46 Million Federal Grant to Expand I-80 Truck Parking in Dawson County by About 120 Spaces

By Big Rig Daily Staff

Nebraska will receive about $7.46 million in federal funding to build new public truck parking on Interstate 80 in Dawson County, according to Truck and Trailer Guide, which cites U.S. Department of Transportation INFRA award fact sheets, and a News Channel Nebraska report on the same award.

What the Dawson County project includes

Truck and Trailer Guide, citing USDOT fact sheets, says the proposed facility sits between reference posts 247 and 254, with parking for both directions of I-80. Each direction is planned for about 60 truck spaces, 40 passenger vehicle spaces and four recreational vehicle spaces, plus a service building with restrooms and traveler amenities. That is about 120 truck spaces in total.

The project is meant to replace truck parking capacity lost when aging rest areas near Cozad and Kearney close as part of Nebraska Department of Transportation I-80 modernization. Truck and Trailer Guide says the new facilities at Elm Creek and Overton are expected to increase net truck parking capacity by about 92 spaces and avoid a potential 123-mile gap along the corridor.

The wider Midwest package

Nebraska is one of five Midwest states in a roughly $87.4 million truck-parking package that USDOT says should add about 477 spaces across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin, Truck and Trailer Guide reports. The national INFRA Track 2 parking round is $200 million for 14 projects in 12 states.

Why it matters to truckers

Grant awards are not open pavement. Drivers still need the spaces built, lit and available when hours of service run out. Big Rig Daily has covered other federal parking awards, including Arkansas I-49 parking funding and a broader road-safety grants round.

Quick facts

• Federal award cited: about $7.46 million.
• Location: I-80 in Dawson County, between reference posts 247 and 254.
• Planned truck spaces: about 60 each direction.
• Purpose: replace aging Cozad and Kearney rest-area capacity.

FAQ

Are the Nebraska I-80 truck parking spaces open now?

No. The sources describe a grant award and planned construction, not an open lot.

How many Midwest truck parking spaces are in the INFRA package?

About 477 across five states, according to USDOT figures reported by Truck and Trailer Guide.

Will the Nebraska INFRA grant fill every overnight gap on I-80?

The sources do not claim that. They describe one corridor project meant to replace closing rest areas and add net capacity.

A question for readers

Truckers, will about 120 new I-80 spots change overnight parking in central Nebraska, or is this still a drop against a corridor that fills up before dark?

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