The province will take another shot at finding businesses interested in setting up eateries and other shops aimed at motorists.
In the summer of 2022 the province announced it was seeking businesses interested in developing 18 rest stops along with commercial amenities across the province. However, only one non-compliant response was received.
Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said the government will take a different approach when it puts out a renewed request for proposals later this year.
"The intention now is to have smaller, bite-sized regional chunks so you could have an RFP where the project proponent could bid on one or a handful of rest stops.
"We know where along our road network we need to have more rest sites and more services for, especially truckers, across the province."
Dreeshen said Red Deer County's Junction 42 truck stop at Highway 2 and Highway 42 east of Penhold is an example of what the province would like to see built elsewhere. The truck stop draws more than 300,000 visitors a year and the county is planning to expand the truck parking areas to meet demand.
"If we had more Junction 42s across the province it would go a long way to ensure that truckers have those safe rest areas and the convenience of nice facilities."
A $9 million rest stop near Lacombe was completed in mid-2023. A portable washroom has been set up but there are no other amenities.
This year, it has also become home to a semi-permanent anti-carbon protest camp complete with vendors and an enclosed eating area.
Dreeshen said protesters have been told they can move their RVs and other vehicles to vacant provincial land set aside for future eateries and other businesses adjacent to the stopping lanes.
"The roadside safety rest areas are for truckers. So overnight in those areas we want to make sure they are reserved for truckers, obviously for their safety.
"That's why we did offer adjacent land to the rest area … so if they want to stage or continue on with their protests on public lands they're free to do so and they're off the highway too.
"That was our offer to make sure truckers in the area are being protected and have a safe rest area they utilize every day but also respecting the right to protest as well."