Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Virginia Port Addresses Congestion's Impact on Truckers

The Port of Virginia has begun implementing several policies to ease congestion and address problems for truckers at the busy East Coast port.

by Staff
March 13, 2015
Virginia Port Addresses Congestion's Impact on Truckers

Trucks are backed up along the roads leading into the Port of Virginia. Image:Via Wavy.com video 

2 min to read


Trucks are backed up along the roads leading into the Port of Virginia. Image:Via Wavy.com video

The Port of Virginia has begun implementing several policies to ease congestion and address problems for truckers at the busy east coast port, according to a report by Virginia-based WAVY-TV.

Trucks entering the port have been backed up for days in long lines attempting to service the over-capacity port.

Ad Loading...

Many of the congestion issues began after the port was forced to close for four days last month due to bad weather. Five ships and as many as 7,000 containers were delayed until March, according to a JOC.com report. The backup was being compared to the recent shutdowns at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in California that were caused by a labor dispute in February.

As a result, the Port of Virginia has implemented a few policies to try to ease the long waits, which can cost truckers hundreds of dollars as they wait. They have extended evening gate hours, added more weekend gate hours, made greater use of the adjacent Portsmouth Marine Terminal and made an agreement with labor partners to get more help at the port.

Port operators are insisting that the Port is not broken but simply operating beyond its maximum capacity, which is causing the delays. However, many truckers say that inefficiencies, which sometimes limit access to parts of the port to one truck at a time, are preventing truckers from getting to the backed-up cargo.

The long lines have also lowered the quality of life for some truckers, stuck in their vehicles for hours at a time without a way to use the restroom. An earlier WAVY-TV story had reported that urine and feces were littering the roads leading into the port. As a result, the port recently put in place several port-a-johns in key waiting locations.

“To me, they don’t think about the drivers, they don’t think about the customers, they don’t think about the businesses,” driver Darryl Robinson told WAVY-TV. “They don’ t take the truck drivers seriously.”

More Drivers

SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
DriversJanuary 23, 2026

What FMCSA’s New Enforcement Push Means for Fleets in 2026 [Podcast]

Listen as transportation attorney and TruckSafe Consulting President Brandon Wiseman joins the HDT Talks Trucking podcast to unpack the “regulatory turbulence” of last year and what it means for trucking fleets in 2026.

Read More →
DriversJanuary 20, 2026

How Pilot Is Using AI in Truck Maintenance

A practical look at how artificial intelligence is helping Pilot's trucking fleet move from reactive maintenance to a more proactive approach.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Safety, uptime, and insurance costs directly impact profitability. This eBook looks at how fleet software is evolving to deliver real ROI through proactive maintenance, AI-powered video telematics, and real-time driver coaching. Learn how fleets are reducing crashes, defending claims, and using integrated data to make smarter operational decisions.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

Basic Tracking vs Next Generation Fleet Technology

Fleet software is getting more sophisticated and effective than ever, tying big data models together to transform maintenance, safety, and the value of your existing tech stack. Fleet technology upgrades are undoubtedly an investment, but updated technology can offer a much higher return. Read how upgrading your fleet technology can increase the return on your investment.

Read More →
Graphic showing smart truck parking technology with a highway sign reading “Spaces Available” and the Streetline logo.
Driversby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 16, 2026

Streetline Expands Smart Truck Parking System on West Coast

Streetline is expanding smart truck parking tools, including a new I-5 deployment in Washington and a no-upfront-cost pilot model for state DOTs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Truck parked at night
Driversby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 15, 2026

Third 'Jason's Law' Truck Parking Survey Under Way

The Federal Highway Administration is asking motor carriers and truck drivers to give input on where and when drivers have difficulty finding truck parking, and on how drivers prefer to get information on available parking.

Read More →
Driversby StaffJanuary 8, 2026

FMCSA Continues Focus on State Issuance of Non-Domiciled CDLs

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration continues a crackdown on an increasing number of states it says have been issuing non-domiciled CDLs improperly.

Read More →
Driversby Deborah LockridgeDecember 30, 2025

Will FMCSA’s Driver-Oriented Enforcement Initiatives Affect Capacity?

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took several actions in 2025 to tighten enforcement of regulations for commercial drivers. Will those affect trucking capacity in 2026?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driversby Deborah LockridgeDecember 15, 2025

Q&A: Lisa Kelly Explains Ice Road Trucking, Reality TV Editing, and Life as a Female Driver

Lisa Kelly talks to HDT about the return of the show Ice Road Truckers, what really happens on the ice roads, how reality TV shapes drivers’ stories, and the career she’s built beyond the show.

Read More →