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September 07, 2023 News Release

PA Turnpike Honors Truckers for 2023 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week


PA Turnpike Honors Truckers for 2023 National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Announces amenity and resource updates, partners with the PMTA for exclusive events.

Harrisburg, Pa. – In recognition of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) next week the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) is giving special thanks to the dedicated professionals who spend long days and weeks on the road to ensure the transport of needed supplies. NTDAW begins Sunday, Sept. 10 and continues through Saturday, Sept. 16 this year.

This year the PA Turnpike is partnering with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA), to pay respect and thank the nearly 3.6 million professional men and women truck drivers who undertake one of the economy's most demanding and important jobs.

“We understand that our commercial drivers always step up when they are needed most and have kept the economy on its feet despite navigating unprecedented obstacles,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “They carry huge responsibilities and are regularly under stress delivering goods safely and securely. For our part, we work hard to enhance their experience while traveling our roadway.”

Together, the PA Turnpike and PMTA will host two events at turnpike service plazas to show appreciation for the hard work and commitment of the professional truck driver community. Visitors can take part in an interactive, experiential event to participate in the nationwide appreciation for commercial drivers. Each event will feature a tent and table alongside the PMTA “Safety Trailer”—a tractor-trailer used to educate drivers on roadway safety and how to safely share the road with truck drivers.

Truck drivers will be offered coupons for a free beverage and donut courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts at each participating service plaza, as well as an opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to win a family package to Hersheypark which is now open all year long.

Truck Driver Appreciation Week events will be held 10 a.m. to 2p.m. on the following days and service plaza locations:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 – Sideling Hill Service Plaza, at milepost 172.3 east and westbound
  • Thursday, Sept.14, 2023 – Allentown Service Plaza at milepost 55.9 north and southbound

“Truck drivers keep our economy moving. We want to thank them at every opportunity we can,” said Rebecca Oyler, President, and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. “It’s going to be a special opportunity to connect with the drivers who work hard, away from their families to ensure grocery store shelves are stocked and packages are delivered on time. We’re thrilled the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is working to better accommodate truck drivers, and we look forward to continuing a partnership with them.”

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to making travel simpler and safer for all travelers, while also considering how to enhance the experience on the road by providing amenities that make each trip more comfortable.

The Turnpike has expanded the number of tractor-trailer parking spaces at three of its service plazas and has plans in the works for more expansions soon. Additionally, through existing digital message signs, the PA Turnpike now indicates to truckers if a lot ahead is full, open or low on parking before they get to the service plaza. Between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. each day, these electronic signs near nine of the Turnpike’s services plazas provide up-to-the-minute updates on truck-parking availability.

A few other resources available to professional drivers include:

  • Continuously updating the commercial section of the PA Turnpike website
    • Adding drone footage of construction sites
    • Updating digital message signs
  • Connecting to commercial resources such as 511PA
  • Service plazas with increased overnight parking spots, food
    • Accessible amenities that won’t interrupt travels
  • The convenience of non-stop travel with all-electronic tolling

Please visit www.paturnpike.com for additional details and resources.

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Media Contacts:

Rosanne Placey, rplacey@paturnpike.com, 717.675.4362

Crispin Havener, chavener@paturnpike.com, 717.870.2841

Megan Magensky, mmagensky@pmta.org, 717.970.3223