Despite economic benefits, new California truck stop draws local opposition

A planned Pilot Flying J travel center is projected to bring an economic benefit of nearly $2.5 billion and nearly 80 full-time jobs to the area around Jurupa Valley, CA, located about 70 miles east of Los Angeles. 

But even after receiving approval from a planning commission, opponents of the travel center sought to stop the project by appealing to the Jurupa Valley City Council, citing increased pollution and its proximity to a high school.

After holding a public meeting, the city council did back the project, but voted to require the truck stop have a security guard on-duty at all times and to check the parking lot at least twice an hour to ensure idling is limited to five minutes. 

The town’s outgoing mayor, Micheal Goodland, supports the project, noting that federal emissions rules have resulted in trucks producing less pollution. He also said the new parking spaces will provide a safe place for trucks to stop, rather than potentially pulling off on the side of the local roads. 

The truck stop is projected to open in the spring.