An aviation reform bill that would pre-empt certain state laws regarding meal and rest breaks for truckers will be taken up by a House committee next week.

The trucker parking lot at the Interstate 78 Welcome Center in eastern Pennsylvania — a popular rest stop for longhaul truckers — will be closed most nights this week, and truckers are being advised to make other plans for scheduled rest stops.

The Senate voted down an amendment during consideration of the federal highway bill that would have allowed commercialization of interstate rest areas.

A coalition representing sellers of food and fuel products is urging the Senate to reject an amendment that would allow commercialization of interstate rest areas.

Truckers in Texas now have two more electrified rest stops they can use.

Truckers traveling on Interstate 90 across northern Ohio will find that two rest areas along the highway in the city of Mentor were closed this month.

The trucking industry applauded an announcement by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) that he has launched a pilot program to use undeveloped, state-owned property alongside highways as rest areas for truck drivers.

New York will begin closing six of its state highway rest stops beginning Nov. 1 in an effort to deal with severe budget problems.