More truck parking now open along I-43

Two rebuilt Wisconsin rest areas bring new parking spots, amenities

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), in conjunction with the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association (WMCA), completed two rest area rebuilds along I-43 near Denmark and Maribel, expanding truck parking and improving amenities along the corridor.

“Wisconsin’s safety rest areas are more than places to take a break -- they’re an important part of a safe, reliable transportation system,” WisDOT Secretary Boardman said. “With these two new facilities, we’re continuing to build a network of modern, accessible rest areas that better serve everyone who travels our highways. Whether you’re a commercial driver or a family on vacation, every traveler deserves safe, welcoming places to stop, rest and recharge.”

Originally built in 1980, these two rest areas had just 20 truck parking stalls along with outdated facilities, WisDOT noted. The rebuild delivers 56 truck parking spaces at each, with a staging area for oversized/overweight vehicles. In addition, new signs along I-43 notify truck drivers of open spots as they look ahead en route through northeast Wisconsin.

[Related: Key limitations of truck parking info delivery systems]

“We applaud the work of the Wisconsin DOT to modernize these two rest areas,” said WMCA President Johnson. “Access to safe, accessible and well-maintained parking is essential to driver well-being, regulatory compliance, and highway safety.”

It's another feather in the cap of a top-rated state DOT for truck parking, judging by the rankings in Overdrive’s 2025 Truckers Highway Report Card, for which truckers rated states on road conditions, and parking availability. Wisconsin ranked No. 7 in the list of overall best states for parking.

If you missed the late 2025 report card at initial release, use the form below to download direct. 

WisDOT well more than doubled the number of spaces at the now modernized facilities, featuring better lighting, dedicated indoor space for vending options, drinking fountains with water bottle fillers and ADA-compliant restrooms.

Construction began in late April 2025 on what was $20.4 million project. WisDOT plans to rebuild the two safety rest areas along I-41 near Theresa and Lomira in Dodge County.

[Related: Truck Parking Club: Super Ego relationship, reviews policing, influencer empire revealed]

Mirror-alternative camera system maker seeks exemption

Transit Solutions, LLC, doing business as TSI Video, is seeking an exemption from federal regulations to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles equipped with TSI's ClearView E-Mirror camera monitor system (CMS) installed as an alternative to the two rear-vision mirrors required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

TSI Video markets to the transit bus industry, which are normally not subject to FMCSRs, but the company confirmed to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration staff that its camera system would be used in CMVs subject to the FMCSRs.

According to TSI Video, its system provides an equal or greater level of safety than traditional mirrors through an expanded field of view, improved low-light/glare performance, blind-spot reduction, and fail-safe diagnostics and driver alerts. The company added that its system also improves driver situational awareness by offering a superior field of view and higher image quality than conventional mirror assemblies.

Additionally, TSI Video stated its ClearView E-mirror uses high-dynamic-range cameras and advanced sensors, ensuring the system provides reliable visibility by mitigating glare from light sources and maintaining high object definition in low-light environments. TSI Video also uses AI models for edge detection and object classification to continuously identify pedestrians and obstacles in the vehicle's environment, alerting drivers via the in-cab monitor and LED indicators.

FMCSA is accepting public comments on the request here through Aug. 31.

[Related: Another mirror-alternative camera maker petitions FMCSA for exemption]

‘Elite 11’ military vet rookie truckers named award semi-finalists

Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative this week announced 11 semi-finalists -- the “Elite 11” -- for the 2026 “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award, marking the program's 11th year. The award honors the achievements of military veterans as they transition into careers in trucking.

Semi-finalists were selected from nominations submitted by carriers, training schools, a private fleet and individuals across the country, and represent four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Kenworth again will provide the grand prize for the winning driver: a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles. The T680 also includes the driver assistance systems: Kenworth's DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.

Registered Apprenticeship (RA) remains a driving force behind this year's semi-finalists: 60% of the nominations received came from drivers who are completing or have completed a U.S. Department of Labor RA Program, and five of the Elite 11 are apprentices today, program organizers said.

[Related: Owner-operators, enter to compete for Overdrive's Trucker of the Year honors] 

Of the nominations received, the following semi-finalists continue in the award program:

• Jeffrey Barber -- U.S. Army, Prime Inc., trained by Prime Inc.
• Brandon Ward -- U.S. Navy, Werner Enterprises, trained by Roadmaster Drivers School, Orlando
• Mohammad Arzola -- U.S. Marine Corps, HEB, trained by California Career Schools
• Juan Rosado Lozada -- U.S. Marine Corps, Roehl Transport, Inc., trained by Troops Into Transportation, Fort Benning
• Kishawn Forbes -- U.S. Navy, Melton Truck Lines, trained by Florida State College at Jacksonville
• Gary W. Williams -- U.S. Army, Stevens Transport, trained by Southern Careers Institute
• Monica Brooks-Buck -- U.S. Army, Werner Enterprises, trained by Truck Driver Institute, Saucier
• Jenn Wilken -- U.S. Army, Prime Inc., trained by Prime Inc.
• Daryus Jones -- U.S. Army, Anheuser-Busch, trained by Tulsa Technology
• Daniel Doss -- U.S. Air Force, Melton Truck Lines, trained by Troops Into Transportation, Fort Benning
• Michael R. Bivens -- U.S. Marine Corps, Stevens Transport, trained by Tennessee Truck Driving School

All will be honored Sept. 22-23 with a recognition dinner at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant, where finalists will be announced. Public voting opens Nov. 1 to run through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Voting is an important factor in the Selection Committee's final deliberations, which determine the finalists and the ultimate award winner.

The 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award winner will be announced Dec. 14 at the Veteran Ready Summit at the United States Military Academy at West Point.