The Trucker News Staff

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will suspend all construction-related lane closures on interstates and state routes beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 1 through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, to provide maximum roadway capacity for holiday travelers. AAA predicts record travel in Tennessee this year, with more than a million Tennesseans taking a trip and 92% of them driving. “With so many people hitting the road we want to do all we can to ensure they reach their destinations safely and without necessary delays,” TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said. “We are doing so by suspending lane closures during this busy holiday travel time.” Motorists will still encounter some long-term lane closures on construction projects, a news release stated. While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers may be on-site in zones, and reduced speed limits in work zones will still be in effect. Drivers convicted of speeding through work zones where workers are present face a fine of $250-$500, plus court fees and possible increased insurance premiums.

CRANSTON, R.I. — U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both Rhode Island Democrats, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti and other state and local leaders today gathered on Phenix Avenue in Cranston to break ground for the $85 million Cranston Canyon Project. According to a news release, the project will address deteriorated bridges along the western end of Route 37 and its intersection with I-295, making many safety improvements along the “canyon” section of I-295 — the nickname given for the rocky outcropping on this section of the Interstate. The improvements also will reduce chronic congestion issues on both highways, which reduces vehicle emissions. The Cranston Canyon is a design-build project and was awarded to Aetna Bridge with AECOM, the lead design firm. “The design-build process is advantageous because it often provides innovative solutions to the construction of the project, including keeping traffic moving through these busy corridors with the least amount of disruption possible,” according to the news release. “It also allows design and construction activities to take place at the same time. This approach, in concert with the use of accelerated bridge construction methods, will shave a year off the construction schedule.” “RIDOT is able to move ahead with this project thanks in large part to the efforts of our Congressional delegation which once more went to bat for us and helped secure a $21 million federal BUILD grant,” Alviti said. “With these extra funds, we have been able to put together a very comprehensive project to solve traffic problems, fix deteriorated bridges and make these highways safer; all in a single project.” Highlights of the Cranston Canyon Project include: Rebuilding six bridges and building one new bridge along the Route 37 corridor west of Pontiac Avenue in Cranston. Creating a third lane at I-295 North with new pavement and minor widening, which will work as an auxiliary lane from the Route 37 interchange to the Route 6 interchange in Johnston. Shifting the ramp from Route 37 East to I-295 North from the high-speed lane to the right lane, improving safety and reducing conflicting movements. Repositioning the ramp from I-295 North to Route 37 West to eliminate a conflicting weave. Widening the ramp from Route 37 West to I-295 North to improve sight lines and reduce crashes. The Cranston Canyon project will be completed in 2026. “It continues RIDOT’s efforts to address all the bridges on the Route 37 corridor, representing a second phase which began in 2020 with the $79.5 million Route 37 Bridges Project,” according to the news release. “That project is addressing 15 bridges from Post Road to Pontiac Avenue and is scheduled to be finished in 2023.” Approximately 84,000 vehicles travel on I-295 North between Route 37 and Route 14 and 36,500 vehicles travel on Route 37, west of Pontiac Avenue. The Cranston Canyon Project is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT’s ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.

EL NIDO, Calif. — A big rig veered into oncoming traffic and killed two people in a multi-car crash on the morning of Tuesday, June 21 in El Nido, California. The Merced Sun-Star reports that three sedans were traveling south on Highway 59 at 4:15 a.m. as they approached a 2022 Volvo big rig heading the opposite direction near Furtado Road in El Nido. The big rig then veered into oncoming traffic for an unknown reason, striking three cars. The 33-year-old driver of a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 22-year-old passenger of a 2011 Ford Fusion were confirmed dead after officers arrived. The Ford’s driver, a 20-year-old man, was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with major injuries. The 54-year-old driver of the  third vehicle involved in the crash, a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic, and the 28-year-old driver of the big rig did not report any injuries. The Merced Sun-Star reported that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be involved in the crash. It was not reported if the tractor was hauling a trailer. KMPH reports that a special CHP unit was called in to inspect the big rig. This means criminal charges are possible. The California Highway Patrol was investigating which vehicle was at fault in the crash.

UPDATE: News 12 reports that the driver of the tractor-trailer pulled over around 10:30 p.m. Sunday after noticing the tire of a dolly on the trailer was on fire. The cause of that is still unknown. A video shows the fireworks on the tractor-trailer exploding. VIDEO: A tractor-trailer carrying a large amount of fireworks caught fire overnight, igniting the #fireworks – shutting down parts of I-287 in #NewJersey. (Courtesy: Albin Forgiarini) More Information – https://t.co/i2bwxqt1Rk pic.twitter.com/DbIsJV9YuE — News12NJ (@News12NJ) June 27, 2022 BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — A tractor-trailer hauling fireworks caught fire early Monday morning, shutting down parts of the southbound lanes of Interstate-287 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. JUST IN: A tractor-trailer carrying a large amount of fireworks caught fire, igniting the fireworks – shutting down parts of I-287 in #Bridgewater, #NJ – https://t.co/Dqutdk6e7R pic.twitter.com/Kvyg8mTRDJ — News12NJ (@News12NJ) June 27, 2022 No word yet on what caused the fire, but two trucks were reported to have caught on fire. News 12 reports that one of the trucks was carrying 5,000-10,000 pounds of fireworks and the other was reportedly carrying corrosive materials. The fireworks were ignited by the fire.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Kenworth Class 8 truck assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio, recently hosted its inaugural Kenworth truck parade in downtown Chillicothe. The 2022 Kenworth Truck Parade featured more than 50 Class 8 new, classic and customized Kenworth trucks, including models built in 1967 as well as Kenworth’s latest models, such as the T680 Next Gen. Truck drivers from 28 states and Canada traveled to Chillicothe to showcase their trucks in the parade. The parade began at dusk, allowing drivers to show off their truck’s light features as they made their way through the historic downtown area of Chillicothe. To support the local community, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant raised money for the United Way of Ross County, according to a news release. During the parade, Kenworth Chillicothe plant employees and members of the United Way of Ross County collected donations with all proceeds going to the non-profit organization. “Our first Kenworth truck parade here in Chillicothe was a lot of fun,” Jack Schmitt, Kenworth Chillicothe assistant plant manager, said. “Thanks to all the drivers — many of whom spent vacation time to travel here to participate and show off their rigs — for such a great event. Through this parade, we were able to generate a nice donation to United Way of Ross County, which will help support community programs in our local area. We’re already looking forward to next year’s parade in celebration of Kenworth’s 100-year anniversary.” Leading up to the truck parade, the Kenworth Chillicothe plant held events at its facility for drivers and their families participating and attending the parade. Drivers had an opportunity to take a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe plant to see where the majority of Kenworth’s Class 8 trucks are built. The plant also hosted a family event on the plant’s property during the day of the parade. The Kenworth Chillicothe plant, which opened in 1974, is located on a 120-acre site 50 miles south of Columbus, Ohio. The 622,000 square-foot facility recently received two 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Awards from the Manufacturing Leadership Council of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The plant was honored for its Kenworth Paint Facility and Henrob Error Proofing project. Last fall, Kenworth Chillicothe earned the 2021 Encouraging Environmental Excellence “E3” Platinum Award, the top award presented by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The award honors a business or organization that expands its environmental program beyond its facility and demonstrates how its environmental stewardship efforts benefit the local community, region or larger geographical area.  

DENVER — Truckload freight volumes declined for the third straight month in May, and the average rate to move dry van freight on the spot market dipped below $2 per mile, excluding fuel surcharges, for the first time since July 2020, according DAT Freight & Analytics, operators of the industry’s largest truckload freight marketplace and DAT iQ data analytics service. DAT’s May Truckload Volume Index for dry van freight was 256, 3.7% lower compared to April while the refrigerated TVI was 190, also down 3.7% month over month. The flatbed TVI was 240, a 4.8% increase. Year over year, the May TVI was 10% higher for van freight, 11% higher for reefers and 29.7% higher for flatbed loads. Demand for truckload services was strong relative to May 2021 and the overall number of loads on the spot market increased. However, shippers are seeing better routing guide compliance as carriers cover more freight under contract compared to the same period last year. Prices paid by shippers to move contracted freight hit record highs in May. Van freight averaged $3.29 per mile, up 3 cents compared to April, while the average contract reefer rate was $3.56 a mile, up 11 cents. The flatbed rate jumped 7 cents to $3.84 a mile. Spot load-posting activity increased 14% Compared to April, there were 14% more loads posted in May as seasonal retail goods, fresh produce, construction materials and other freight moved through supply chains. Truck posts declined 2.3%. The national average van load-to-truck ratio increased from 3.4 in April to 4.4, meaning there were 4.4 loads for every van on the DAT One network. The ratio was the second-highest on record for May. The reefer load-to-truck ratio was 7.5, up from 6.3, while the flatbed ratio fell from 64.5 to 63.3. Spot van, reefer rates fell 7 cents The national average van rate fell 7 cents to $2.69 per mile, equal to the May 2021 average. The spot reefer rate was $3.06 per mile, down 7 cents, and the flatbed rate added 3 cents to $3.44 per mile. Spot rates are negotiated by the carrier and freight broker as one-time transactions and should incorporate an amount to help cover the carrier’s fuel expense based on diesel prices at the time. Surcharges in May averaged 72 cents a mile for van freight, 79 cents a mile for reefers and 86 cents a mile for flatbed freight. “Demand for truckload services was solid last month, even on the spot market, where the number of available loads has fallen throughout the year. There were more than 1 million dry van loads on the DAT One network during each week in May, which has happened only once, in 2021,” Ken Adamo, DAT chief of analytics, said. “However, the price of diesel fuel continued to put downward pressure on spot truckload rates and cause small carriers to be discerning about the loads and terms they accept. We expect this volatility to continue through June.” For more information about DAT iQ, go to dat.com/iQ.

DELCO, Idaho– International Road Dynamics Inc. (IRD), a Quarterhill Inc. company, has been awarded a $2.2 million contract in Idaho to supply and install an eastbound mainline weigh-in-motion (WIM) and electronic pre-clearance system to complement the westbound IRD system at the new Idaho Transportation Department Port-of-Entry (POE) facility on I-84 near Declo. According to a news release, this will be the sixth WIM site IRD has deployed in Idaho. “The purpose of the project is to complete the relocation of the Cotterel POE and provide a safer traveling experience for all vehicles on the interstate system,” the news release stated. “Additionally, the new POE location will facilitate more efficient trucking operations through the use of advanced weigh station automation and pre-screening technologies. The updated systems will assist the state in more effectively meeting federal compliance standards.” This system will weigh commercial vehicles at highway speeds upstream of the weigh station using IRD’s Single Load Cell WIM scales and check for tire defects with IRD’s Tire Anomaly and Classification System (TACS). The system will also use an IRD-supplied License Plate Reader and an Automated Vehicle Identification system to check vehicle credentials. This credentialing information will be screened against state and federal databases using IRD’s commercial vehicle safety e-screening platform. Commercial vehicles in violation of weight or safety regulations will be automatically signaled to report for inspection at the port-of-entry weigh station by changeable message signs. During peak times, weigh stations often exceed capacity and are forced to close or allow trucks to bypass the weigh station until the lineup at the station is cleared. “By combining Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) information with the weight, the weigh station can focus on high-risk vehicles, allowing compliant carriers with good safety records to bypass the weigh station,” according to the news release. “Not only does this greatly improve the effectiveness of the weigh station, but it provides a considerable benefit to the trucking industry by making the roadways safer and reducing wait times at weigh stations for compliant carriers, thus reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.” Rish Malhotra, IRD president and CEO, said that the project complements the existing Idaho Transportation Department deployments at Boise, Lewiston, Huetter, Inkom and Sage Junction that were previously installed by IRD,” said “IRD’s systems have a proven track record of providing a safer experience to the traveling public in the State of Idaho,” Malhotra said. “By further expanding the state’s network of fully automated weigh station facilities, road users will benefit from highly efficient systems that reduce road delays and emissions for heavy truck operators while at the same time protecting road infrastructure and public safety.”

CHICAGO — Highway Transport has opened an $11 million flagship service center located in Chicago and serving as a Midwest hub for its current and growing customers across the U.S. and Canada. The Chicago Service Center will continue to serve as a central hub for Highway Transport tanker trucks and professional tanker drivers as they transport chemicals for companies across the country, according to a news release. Located in Clarius Business Park in Channahon, Illinois, the facility is one of more than 20 Highway Transport Service Centers in the United States, serving 49 states and Canada. Employing on-site team members and professional truck drivers, the Chicago Service Center is expected to add approximately 70 new employees in the coming years. Team members and drivers located there will coordinate logistics, technology, cleaning processes and other critical operations on-site. The facility includes parking for tanker trucks from the company’s fleet of more than 465 trucks and 900-plus stainless-steel tanker trailers. “Our new chemical tanker truck facility marks our commitment to both the greater Chicago area and to our customers and team members across the U.S.,” Highway Transport President and CFO Marshall Franklin said. “With the expanded Chicago service center, we are better positioned to serve many chemical companies in Illinois, the Midwest and beyond. This is an important investment for our company. We remain committed to providing award-winning safety and service to our customers, as well as the community, which is reflected by the environmental safety measures we took in expanding the facility and setting up our safety and cleaning protocols on-site.” The 17,730-square-foot service center located on nearly 23 acres doubles the size of Highway Transport’s previous leased facility in Joliet where it operated for two decades. To celebrate the grand opening, Highway Transport team members participated in a community volunteer day through the company’s Highway Helping Hands program. More than 30 team members volunteered at Chicago’s Ronald McDonald House and The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park. The company also hosted a grand opening celebration at the new facility on June 22, welcoming area elected officials and community leaders, customers and business owners, vendors and partners to tour the Chicago Service Center. “Highway Transport has invested in a state-of-the-art service center, including the latest systems and technology to ensure a safe and worker-friendly environment,” Kyle Lukwinski, Highway Transport’s service center manager in Chicago, said. “We care about our tanker drivers and employees, and this facility is designed with their safety and convenience in mind. When we take care of our team and our drivers, they are best equipped to fulfill our commitment to providing award-winning safety and service to our customers. Our expanded Chicago Service Center is a critical component in delivering on our promise – which includes caring for our customers and caring for our community here in Chicago.” The facility includes a maintenance shop, tank wash, multiple offices and a conference room. It also provides full amenities for Highway Transport professional drivers, including a break room to watch television and movies, Wi-Fi access, showers and more within the secure, gated facility. The Highway Transport Chicago Service Center project was led by Principle Construction and Partners in Design. “With our new Service Center open, it will support our company and team members to continue to serve clients with a more than 98 percent on-time rate, while maintaining our commitment to quality and safety,” Franklin said. “As we grow in Chicago and beyond, the elite drivers joining our team are on time, well presented at delivery and committed to the highest-level safety protocols that our customers know and trust.”

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Mo. — A truck driver sustained moderate injuries on Thursday after crashing their rig into a support beam of an overpass along Interstate 70 in Missouri. According to a Facebook post from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, traffic was diverted for several hours while the wreck was cleared. No other vehicles were involved.

MARION, Ark. — Police in Arkansas have located the semi-truck that a bank robbery suspect allegedly used to leave the crime scene. “We are still looking for information to identify this individual in reference to the Regions robbery on 06/21/2022,” the Marion Police Department said in a Thursday Facebook post. “The blue semi-truck associated with the robbery has been located.” Police are still trying to identify the robbery suspect. They did not state what company, if any, the truck was associated with, or if the suspect was associated with the truck. They also did not state where the truck was found on Wednesday. Police described the suspect as a Black male wearing a black hoodie, black pants, a gray face mask, white gloves and brown work boots. Marion Police Criminal Investigation Division is looking for tips. They can be contacted at (870) 739-2101. For more details, you can read the original report by The Trucker at this link.

JACKSON, Miss. — In recent years, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has continued to implement Restricted Crossing U-Turn intersections, also referred to as J-Turns, throughout the state. A J-Turn is an alternative to typical intersections along busy multi-lane highways that MDOT officials say improves safety and efficiency for drivers. “J-Turns can dramatically reduce crashes relating to crossing and turning left at multi-lane highway intersections found in Mississippi,” according to an MDOT news release. “Using this type of turn substantially improves safety for the traveling public. The number of conflict points between vehicles when crossing or turning left at a normal multi-lane, divided highway intersection are reduced, and those that remain are less severe.” According to MDOT, a recent study showed that J-Turns can reduce injury crashes by more than 40 percent and fatal crashes by 70 percent. “While a J-Turn intersection may require motorists to travel additional distances to make the U-Turn, travel time can improve with more efficient turning, instead of waiting for a gap in traffic to cross the road,” the news release stated. Instead of crossing over traffic on a divided highway to make a left turn or stay straight, motorists make a right turn and merge onto the highway, then use a left-turn lane approximately a quarter of a mile down the highway to make a U-Turn to travel in the opposite direction. From there, drivers can either stay straight or make a right turn.