The Trucker News Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Both the Tennessee and Arkansas departments of transportation have said that there is currently no timeline available for the reopening of the Interstate 40 bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Arkansas and Tennessee after a crack was discovered Tuesday, May 11 prompting an emergency closure. Both departments hosted news conferences on May 12 to discuss the crack, which was found during a routine inspection of the bridge. The crack, which was described as a “significant fracture” by ARDOT, is in a structural beam that is a key component of the bridge. Further investigation and discussions about the eventual remedy are ongoing; more details will be released once the extent of the crack is assessed. ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said the bridge conveys 41,000 vehicles each day, 30% of them commercial vehicles. Although the financial responsibility for the bridge is shared between TDOT and ARDOT, Tudor said funding to fix the bridge would not be an issue. “Don’t worry about the funding,” Tudor said. “We’ll get that bridge up and running. If we have to go straight to Washington, we’ll get it running.” TDOT Community Relations Officer Nichole Lawrence tweeted that “the inspection is still underway and could take a couple weeks to complete. A timeline will be shared as soon as we have one.” In that tweet, photos of the crack in the bridge were also released. Today TDOT officials held a press event to talk about the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge closure. The inspection is still underway, and could take a couple weeks to complete. A timeline will be shared as soon as we have one. Continue to use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/Zfz4izuyED — Nichole Lawrence (@NicLawrenceTDOT) May 12, 2021 In the meantime, motorists are directed to continue to use the Interstate 55 bridge, south of the I-40 bridge, to cross the river.

HOUSTON — Neste, a producer of renewable diesel and supplier into California, has opened two new Neste MY Renewable Diesel fueling stations in southern California — one in Lakeside, California, at 12210 Industry Road; and one in West Sacramento, California, at 2816 W. Capital Ave. “Neste MY Renewable Diesel is a triple win for any fleet operator with vehicles on the road in California,” said Carrie Song, Neste vice president for renewable road transportation in North America. “It cuts greenhouse gas emissions, can give you a competitive edge when bidding on contracts with customers that have set bold climate goals, and will help future-proof your fleet as new regulations limiting tailpipe emissions come into effect.” The Neste MY Renewable Diesel fueling stations are open 24/7 and positioned near major commercial freight routes. The stations are designed to accommodate commercial fleet vehicles of all sizes. The new stations are operated by Neste’s authorized distributors, Diesel Direct and Van de Pol. Neste has created a resource page to help fleet operators find a nearby Neste fueling station and a distributor. Neste is working with partners to establish a green fuel hub” in California, ensuring a continuous supply of Neste MY Renewable Diesel. To date, Neste has provided more than 1.5 billion gallons of renewable diesel to California businesses and cities, delivering the same climate benefits as building about 2,500 wind turbines or planting 202 million trees. According to Neste, depending on an engine’s age and model, renewable diesel is shown to help reduce tailpipe pollution, including less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter as well as near-zero benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals. This makes renewable diesel a tool for combatting air pollution in communities near ports, warehouses, highways, airports, and other heavily trafficked areas. Neste MY Renewable Diesel works with existing engines and fueling infrastructure, with no extra costs to use, and is available to public and private fleets in California and Oregon through authorized distributors.

Click here for the most recent information regarding the status of the Interstate 40 bridge.  MEMPHIS, Tenn. — All eastbound and westbound lanes of the Interstate 40 bridge across the Mississippi River at the Arkansas and Tennessee state line have been closed, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT). A routine inspection of the I-40 bridge revealed a crack that requires further investigation and emergency maintenance. ARDOT said in a tweet that they are working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to reopen the bridge as soon as possible. A news release from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) noted that an ARDOT contractor discovered the problem during a routine inspection and immediately shut down the bridge. It is unclear, at this time, how long the repairs will take. TDOT added that responsibility for the bridge, formally named the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, is shared between TDOT and ARDOT. Motorists have been directed to use the Interstate 55 bridge as an alternate route. River traffic is also shut down until further notice. Visit IDriveArkansas.com for continuing updates. Live traffic streaming is also available at TNSmartWay.com/Traffic.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced the appointment of 26 members to the Florida Freight Advisory Committee (FLFAC) in late April. The FLFAC represents a cross-section of public- and private-sector freight stakeholders, including FDOT, representatives of ports, shippers, carriers, freight-related associations, the freight industry workforce and local governments. The Florida Freight Advisory Committee includes: John Abrams, Loves Travel Stops; Joe Arbona, Genesee Wyoming Railroad; Aubrey Brown, CSX; Gene Conrad, Lakeland Linder International Airport; William Crowe, Canaveral Port Authority; Jaha Cummings, city of Punta Gorda; Kevin Daugherty, Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport; Laura DiBella, Florida Harbor Pilots Association; John Dohm, Florida TransAtlantic Holdings; Lauren Farrell, Space Florida; Patrick Feeney, Dillon Logistics; Dan Liu, Florida Atlantic University; Bruce Lyon, Winter Haven Economic Development Council; Terri Malone, Escambia County; Robert Midgett, Walmart; Carol Obermeier, Southwest Florida International Airport; Samuel Pearson, UPS; Nick Primrose, Jacksonville Port Authority; Mike Rubin, Florida Ports Council; Tori Ruminek, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association; Andre Samuel, Enterprise Florida Inc.; Gregory Stuart, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization; Alexander Trauger, MetroPlan Orlando; Kevin Walford, Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization; Barbara Wilson, RailUSA LLC; and Desiree Wood, REAL Women in Trucking Inc. According to a statement from FDOT, the department relies on committee members for their valuable contribution to advance its mission of providing a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities The FLFAC advises FDOT on freight-related priorities, issues, projects and funding needs; serves as a forum for discussion of state decisions affecting freight transportation; communicates and coordinates regional priorities with other organizations; shares information between the private and public sectors on freight issues; and assists in updating the Statewide Freight Plan.

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Commissioner Joe McGuinness in late April announced that 218 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined $100.2 million in state matching funds for local road projects through Community Crossings, a component of the governor’s Next Level Roads program. “Superior transportation infrastructure — from interstates to local roads and everything connecting in between — make our communities safer, attractive places to do business and create jobs,” Holcomb said. “Thriving communities, in turn, provide exceptional places for Hoosiers to call home and raise families. With that in mind, I’m so pleased to invest and partner with local leaders to deliver on high-priority projects that keep Indiana moving forward.” Since 2016, the Community Crossings initiative has provided more than $931 million in state matching funds for local construction projects. This year, communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects held in January. Applications were evaluated based on need, current conditions and impacts to safety and economic development. Funding for Community Crossings comes from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund. “Community Crossings is a major asset to Indiana cities, towns and counties as they build and modernize local roads and bridges,” McGuinness said. “The state’s funding partnership allows local partners to tackle larger scale project more quickly than would otherwise be possible, maximize their resources to complete more projects and achieve the best possible value for Hoosiers.” To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds — 50% for larger communities and 25% for smaller communities — from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires annually that 50% of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or less. State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Holcomb in April 2017. The list of all communities receiving matching funds in the 2021 winter/spring call for projects can be found at www.in.gov/indot/communitycrossings. The next call for Community Crossings projects will open in July 2021.

WASHINGTON — In the wake of a May 8 cyberextortion attempt on the Colonial Pipeline that resulted in the halting of all pipeline operations, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on May 9 issued a temporary hours-of-service exemption in an effort to avoid disruption to the nation’s fuel supply. The exemption will remain in effect until June 8. The Colonial Pipeline transports gasoline and other fuel through 10 states between Texas and New Jersey. It delivers roughly 45% of fuel consumed on the East Coast, according to the company. The temporary exemption from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCSRs) applies to motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products to Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. According to FMCSA, “direct assistance” ends when the driver or vehicle is used in interstate commerce to “transport cargo or provide services that are not in support of emergency relief efforts related to the shortages of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products due to the shutdown, partial shutdown, and/or manual operation of the Colonial pipeline system in the affected states, or when the motor carrier dispatches a driver or commercial motor vehicle to another location to begin operations in commerce.” When direct assistance ends, the motor carrier and driver are once again subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399; however, a driver can return empty to the carrier’s terminal or normal reporting location without complying with Parts 390 through 399. In addition, the exemption states, “When a driver is moving from emergency relief efforts to normal operations a 10-hour break is required when the total time a driver operates conducting emergency relief efforts, or a combination of emergency relief and normal operation, equals 14 hours.” On Saturday, May 8, Colonial Pipeline reported it had been hit by a ransomware attack and had halted all pipeline operations to deal with the threat. Two people close to the investigation said that the shutdown had been carried out by a criminal gang known as DarkSide that cultivates a “Robin Hood” image of stealing from corporations and giving a cut to charity. The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline has jumped 6 cents over the past two weeks, to $3.02 per gallon, which is $1.05 higher than it was a year ago. Those year-ago numbers are skewed somewhat because the nation was going into lockdown due to the pandemic. Futures for crude and fuel, prices that traders pay for contracts for delivery at some point in the future, typically begin to rise each year as the driving season approaches. The price consumers pay at the gas pump tends to follow. If the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline continues, it could exacerbate upward pressure on fuel prices. Futures jumped 1.5% Monday, May 10, the largest movement in about a week, with the potential for disruptions in fuel delivery still unknown. Colonial is in the process of restarting portions of its network. It said Sunday, May 9, that its main pipeline remained offline, but that some smaller lines were operational. For the moment, seesawing prices may be felt mostly within the energy industry as suppliers adjust to potential shifts in the flow of gasoline. More fuel may be sourced from East Cost refiners, J.P. Morgan said Monday, May 10, and an extended outage along the Colonial Pipeline would force suppliers to seek fuel from the Midwest, rather than the Gulf. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s on May 6 opened a new travel stop to serve customers in Mosheim, Tennessee. The store, located off Interstate 81, at 10465 Lonesome Pine Trail, adds 83 jobs and 109 truck parking spaces to Greene County. “We’re excited to open our 18th location in Tennessee and 170 total parking spaces to Greene County,” said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love’s. “This safe, clean and well-maintained location will give customers the good value at competitive prices they expect when stopping at Love’s.” This location is open 24/7 and offers many amenities, including: More than 12,000 square feet; Arby’s (opening at a later date); 109 truck parking spaces; 52 car parking spaces; Nine RV parking spaces; Eight diesel bays; Seven showers; Laundry facilities; Speedco (opening at a later date); Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee; Brand-name snacks; Fresh Kitchen concept; Mobile to Go Zone with the latest GPS, headsets and smartphone accessories; CAT scale; and Dog park. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will donate $2,000 to the Mosheim Volunteer Fire Department.

GREENBELT, Md. — Philip Mungin, 58, of Bryans Road, Maryland, on April 23 pleaded guilty to forgery of a military discharge certificate and identity theft in connection with a scheme in which Mungin provided fraudulent discharge certificates to people for false military waiver applications for CDLs in exchange for payment. The guilty plea was announced by acting U.S. Attorney for Maryland, Jonathan F. Lenzner; special agent in charge Jamie Mazzone, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Washington Regional Office; and special agent in charge Christopher Dillard of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS). According to his plea, between 1997 and 1999, Mungin was enlisted in the Army. Upon Mungin’s discharge in 1999, the first victim was the senior transition specialist who helped process Mungin’s discharge and signed Mungin’s military discharge certificate, known as the DD-214. Federal law mandates that drivers of commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers and semi-trucks, obtain a CDL. Among other requirements, CDL applicants must pass both a written test and a driving skills test. Third parties, such as driving schools, are authorized to train prospective CDL holders and administer the necessary tests; however, this training generally takes weeks to complete and can cost $3,000 to $7,000. The DOT implemented a program in 2011, designed to help U.S. military veterans get jobs by allowing states to waive the driving skills test for those who could provide proof they had been trained to operate the relevant vehicles in the military. To demonstrate their eligibility, veterans had to submit their DD-214 and complete an application, signed by the applicant’s commanding officer, to certify that they had the relevant driving experience. As detailed in the plea agreement in December 2018, employees at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) office in Waldorf, Maryland, became suspicious of waiver documents submitted by an applicant and confronted the applicant. The applicant, who had never been in the military, identified Mungin as the person who helped him get a CDL by submitting falsified military paperwork. MVA investigators later learned that 44 people had submitted fraudulent waiver applications. Many of the drivers who obtained CDLs based on fraudulent military paperwork identified Mungin as the person who helped them. Thirty-four of the fraudulent applications had the first victim’s name and title at the bottom of the form, and many included a forged or photocopied version of the first victim’s signature. The certifying commanding officer on nearly all the fraudulent waiver forms was the same, a purported colonel. Department of Defense records showed that no person by that name had ever served in the U.S. military. In 2020, a jury in Maryland indicted Mungin for fraudulent schemes alleged from 2017 through 2018. Mungin admits that he falsified DD-214s and military waiver forms for drivers wanting to obtain CDLs, in exchange for payment from the drivers, reportedly between $500 to $2,000 each. The fraudulent DD-214s allowed at least 30 different people to participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver Program, a DOT program that waives the CDL testing and education requirements for those with equivalent military training. Employees at the Waldorf MVA were familiar with Mungin because he often accompanied applicants with fraudulent paperwork to obtain their licenses, typically wearing a military uniform while doing so. At times, Mungin told the employees he was a member of the military police accompanying members who were about to be discharged to obtain their CDLs. At least one fraudulent CDL was issued in Virginia using the same forged DD-214 that Mungin had used with the Maryland drivers. In that application, Mungin listed himself as the commanding officer on the waiver form. Mungin acknowledged that he received between $15,000 and $40,000 total to create false military paperwork, including DD-214s, to assist drivers in fraudulently obtaining CDLs. As part of his plea agreement, Mungin will be required to forfeit any money, property or assets derived as a result of, or used to facilitate, the commission of his illegal activities, and will also be required to pay a money judgment of $2,000. Mungin faces a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison for forgery of a military discharge certificate and a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for identity theft. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. Aug. 16.