The state of Virginia is no longer allowing truckers to park at two of its weigh stations on Internet 81 due to what it called “littering, vandalism, and unsanitary practices.”

Overnight parking had been allowed at the Troutville and Stephens City weigh stations while work was being performed at the Troutville rest area on southbound I-81. The rest area has been closed since May to accommodate a $4.9 million project to extend the ramps and add truck parking at the facility near mile marker 158 in Botetourt County.

WDBJ-TV reports the state Department of Motor Vehicles announced it ended the weigh station parking, and had asked the Virginia State Police to begin enforcing the new policy.

A DMV spokesperson told the TV station, “As much as we’ve been pleased to offer this service to truck drivers passing through our Stephens City and Troutville weigh stations, we are no longer able to provide it due to increasing incidents of littering, vandalism, and unsanitary practices. In addition to the Troutville Rest Area, truck drivers in the area can visit the nearby Pilot Travel Center in Raphine.”

Legislation aimed at allowing drivers under 21 work ports

A new bill introduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) would change a federal law that considers picking up freight from a port as interstate transportation, even if the freight stays within the state where the port is located. That means drivers who are 18 to 21 years old and not allowed to drive interstate would be able to pick up freight at ports.

Dubbed the Ceasing Age-Based (CAB) Trucking Restrictions Act, Mast said the bill would eliminate “logistical hurdles in order to maximize the labor force in the United States and address a contributing factor of the supply chain crisis.”

The text of the bill states that “the transportation of goods from a port of entry and another place within the same state as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating outside such state or the United States by commercial motor vehicle shall not be considered interstate transportation for purposes of requirements relating to commercial driver’s licenses.”

The bill was introduced in the House on Jan. 10 and currently has 19 Republican co-sponsors. It has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where it would need to be passed before moving to the full House floor.