The Nation Archives

Volvo Trucks to restart Virginia factory as strike continues

The Associated Press - July 12, 2021

NORFOLK, Va. — Volvo Trucks North America says some striking workers crossed picket lines Monday, July 12, at a southwestern Virginia factory as the company plans to restart production. Spokesman John Mies wouldn’t say how many United Auto Workers (UAW) members went inside the factory in Dublin, Virginia, near Roanoke. But he says in an email that it will take a few days to get assembly lines back up and running at the plant, which employs 2,900 UAW workers. Union members at the heavy truck assembly plant have voted down three tentative contract agreements reached with local union negotiators, with the most recent rejection coming on Friday, July 9. They initially went on strike in April. UAW spokesman Brian Rothenberg said about 10 workers crossed the lines Monday morning, in addition to a “handful” of union workers who had gone to work earlier. He said he didn’t have exact numbers. Both Volvo Trucks and Rothenberg say workers will vote again on the third agreement again on Wednesday. “Our final offer is on the table; it is the third tentative agreement,” Mies said in an email Monday. Rothenberg said the union is researching legal options and may have an announcement later Monday. He did not know if the company had enough workers to produce any trucks. He said in any strike, a small number of workers cross picket lines. On Friday, Volvo trucks said in a statement that it will implement terms and conditions of the third agreement, reached with local union leaders on July 1. Returning employees “will immediately receive the wage increases and benefits outlined in the July 1 agreement, except for the ratification bonuses that would be paid on contract ratification,” the company said. The previous contract, reached in 2016, was to have expired in mid-March. Negotiations began in February. Workers went on strike from April 17 to 30 and returned to work as they were voting on the first agreement. But members rejected that offer in May. The company announced another six-year tentative agreement later that month, but it was rejected June 6. Mies said Monday the company is focused on employee training and equipment testing as it moves to restart assembly lines at the plant that makes semi tractors. The recalcitrant strikers could be a sign that workers feel more emboldened because employers are having a hard time finding skilled workers. “There’s less fear of never finding another job, and that does mean that the gamble for the membership is not as severe,” said Arthur Wheaton, a labor expert who teaches at Cornell University’s Worker Institute. While workers may not find a job quite as good as the one they have at Volvo in southwestern Virginia, they could be thinking: “‘If they fire us or replace us, how many people have the skill set to build these heavy trucks? … There’s not a lot of us around. And we think you’re gonna have to pay us.’” Volvo could take a risk by hiring permanent employees to replace striking workers because the new workers may not be at the same skill level, he said. “They aren’t just building a little tiny golf cart. These things are huge, and they have a lot of parts to them.” Contract negotiations are usually over wages, health insurance and pensions, Wheaton said. But working conditions to prevent the spread of COVID could also be at play at the bargaining table. Dublin is in Virginia’s Pulaski County, where 46.7% of the adult population is vaccinated, according to the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID dashboard. The UAW has said previously that workers had concerns about health care, wages, health and safety issues, working conditions, plant shift operations, contractual time off and wage progression. Volvo says the 1.6 million-square-foot (nearly 150,000-square-meter) Dublin plant is the largest manufacturer of Volvo trucks in the world. It is one of the largest private sector employers in the region, with approximately 3,300 employees, some 2,900 represented by the UAW. “The ongoing strike — which we continue to believe is unnecessary — is hurting our customers, and has already set back our project to expand and upgrade the facility,” plant Vice President and General Manager Franky Marchand said in a statement last week. “No one is gaining from the current situation, and we will consider all options related to the bargaining process.” The Volvo Group is the only heavy-duty truck manufacturing group that assembles all of its trucks and engines for the North American market in the U.S., according to Volvo. It said the plant is undergoing a $400 million investment for technology upgrades, site expansion and preparation for future products, including the Volvo VNR Electric truck. It added the plant has added 1,100 jobs since the current union agreement was implemented in 2016 and is on track to have a net increase of approximately 600 positions in 2021. By Ben Finley and Tom Krisher

Arizona DOT approves 5-year plan to improve freight corridors

The Trucker News Staff - July 12, 2021

PHOENIX — Four corridors for passenger and freight traffic will be expanded and improved under the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) five-year construction program. The plan, which includes more than $1 billion in pavement preservation projects, was approved by the state transportation board last month. The 2022-2026 Five-Year Program will fund several projects to widen highways and improve safety that include: Adding lanes along Interstate 17 between Anthem Way, Arizona, and Sunset Point, Arizona. Construction on the $328 million project will begin in 2022. Replacing the Gila River bridges on Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande, Arizona. Construction for the $83 million project is targeted for 2023. Constructing the first phase of the Interstate 40/U.S. 93 West Kingman interchange. The $70 million project is expected to begin by 2024. Widening U.S. 93 between Tegner Street and Wickenburg Ranch Way. The $41 million project is scheduled for 2022. More than $1 billion will be funded on pavement preservation projects designed to upgrade 581 lane miles of pavement currently rated as “fair” or “poor” condition to “good” condition. Funding is generated by the users of transportation services, primarily through gasoline and diesel fuel taxes and the vehicle license tax. Both the Maricopa County and Pima County regions have independent revenue streams established through voter-approved sales taxes that allow for more expansion projects to take place in those areas. The widening projects on I-17 and I-10 are advancing through ADOT’s partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, the regional planning agency that has committed some of the funds for those improvements. “I want to thank the board for their thoughtful consideration and approval of this plan that works to address the need for new infrastructure while maintaining existing highways, all within the constraints of limited funding resources,” said John Halikowski, ADOT director. “The improvements to these Key Commerce Corridors represent two of the most critical transportation priorities in Arizona. The additional lanes are important to improve safety and efficiency while the state continues to attract jobs, businesses and economic growth. At the same time, ADOT is investing most rural highway funding to preserve existing roads and bridges to keep them in good condition for the movement of people and freight.” Through the five-year program ADOT will allocate $320 million per year for rehabilitation of bridges and roadways throughout the state’s highway system. These projects include repaving and repairing highways, along with repairing or reconstructing bridges. The plan also includes $407 million over five years for projects that improve highway safety, efficiency and functionality, such as smart technology or addition of shoulders. To review ADOT’s full 2022-2026 Five-Year Program, click here.

System Transport selected to transport 2021 US Capitol Christmas Tree

The Trucker News Staff - July 9, 2021

EUREKA, Calif. — The holiday season will be a little brighter this year with the help of System Transport, the motor carrier selected to transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from California’s Six Rivers National Forest to Washington, D.C. Each year, the U.S. Forest Service selects a tree from a national forest to serve as the “People’s Christmas Tree.” System Transport was selected as the hauler for the 2021 tree at the recommendation of Kenworth Truck Co. and because of the carrier’s reputation in the trucking industry on the West Coast according to Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. Choose Outdoors is a nonprofit partner that works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to coordinate the annual public engagement initiative. The tree will be harvested in late October before making the in-state and cross-country journey to Washington, D.C., arriving at the U.S. Capitol in late November. The tree will be decorated with thousands of handmade ornaments made by Californians, and will be lit up throughout the month of December. System Transport first opened its doors 1972 with only one truck and a trailer. Today, the company employs more than 1,000 people and operates more than 800 trucks. System Transport is headquartered in Spokane, Washington, and has terminals in Caldwell, Idaho; French Camp, Fresno and Bloomington, California; Phoenix; Denver; Olathe, Kansas; Ennis, Texas; and Gary, Indiana. The carrier transports all types of flatbed freight, primarily throughout the west coast to the Midwest. The company and staff have been recognized with several awards, including Goodyear Highway Hero, Great West Safety Award, Carrier of the Year from USG, Platinum Carrier from Lowe’s, Supplier Excellence Award from General Electric, Western Regional Carrier of the Year from Firestone, Carrier of the Year from Home Depot and Excellence Award from SmartWay. “As a second-generation family-owned and operated company, Christmas is a special time of year for u,” said Dennis Williams, president and CEO of Trans-System Inc., the parent company of System Transport. “We are proud to be a part of the annual tradition that brings the Christmas spirit to our nation’s capital, and to all the families who gather around their own trees to share the spirit of the season.” Kenworth returns for the eighth year as a sponsor of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree program. A specially decaled Kenworth T680 Next Generation, equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper, will be used to transport the 51st U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. “Just like our theme ‘Six Rivers, Many Peoples, One Tree’, this campaign brings together many peoples to prepare and safely deliver one special tree to Washington D.C.,” said Ted McArthur, forest supervisor for Six Rivers National Forest. “This journey would not be possible without the support and assistance of strong demonstrated partnerships making this our greatest tour to date.” For more information about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Program, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com

Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence winner will receive a Kenworth T680 sleeper

The Trucker News Staff - July 8, 2021

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative are joining together for the sixth year to discover America’s top rookie military veteran driver, who has made the transition from serving in the U.S. armed forces to driving for a commercial fleet. “Kenworth’s ongoing participation in the Transition Trucking program is one way to recognize the importance of our veterans and thank them for their service,” said Laura Bloch, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “We urge trucking fleets to nominate their best rookie drivers who have served our country and encourage service members transitioning from the military to consider the trucking industry as their future career.” Kenworth will provide the top award for this year’s Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence recognition program — a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. “An estimated 200,000 veterans transition from the military into the private sector each year,” said Brad Bentley, president of FASTPORT. “FASTPORT’s mission is to educate and inform veterans about career opportunities in the nation’s trucking industry. The ongoing driver shortage makes recruiting from the military more important than ever before. We look forward to awarding a well-deserving veteran with a Kenworth T680 in the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program this year.” The top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers must meet three minimum eligibility requirements. He or she must have: Been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve; Graduated from a PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school and have a valid CDL; and First been hired in a trucking position between Jan. 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. “The trucking industry thrived last year despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, proving its position as a sustainable career pathway,” Eric Eversole, vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and president of Hiring Our Heroes. “The 2021 Transition Trucking award campaign is another opportunity to highlight the impact veterans are making in the transportation industry and introduce a new generation of veterans to the real economic opportunity a career in trucking can represent.” The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2021. Full criteria and online nomination forms can be found on the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence website.

Closure of I-40 Memphis span draws intense scrutiny to deteriorating bridges across the nation

Hannah Butler - July 7, 2021

The 48-year-old Interstate 40 bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee was rated as being in “fair” condition with a sufficiency factor of 58% before a “significant” fracture was discovered on May 11. The structure has remained closed to traffic since that time as crews work to repair the damage, first stabilizing the bridge to accommodate the equipment needed and then removing and replacing the damaged portion of a 900-foot structural beam. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said a fracture may be caused by overload, shock, fatigue or stress. A critical fracture could lead to collapse, if not properly repaired and maintained. Either way, it is beneficial to review bridge ratings and maintain inspections to prevent a collapse or further costly damages. As Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Lorie Tudor said shortly after the damage was found, had the fracture not been discovered when it was, there might have been a “catastrophic” disaster. Unfortunately, disasters such as this have occurred in the not-so-distant past. In 2007, the eight-lane I-35 bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during repaving repairs. Opened in 1967, the bridge was one of Minnesota’s busiest, carrying more than 140,000 vehicles daily. Since 1990, the bridge had been given a rating of “structurally deficient” by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The term structurally deficient refers to a classification given to a bridge that has components in poor or worsening conditions, according to the National Bridge Inventory. This rating can potentially lead to the structure being undermined and overtopped during a severe weather event or, if neglected, a bridge collapse. A design flaw involving undersized gusset plates, which connect the structural beams to the bridge, was determined to be a contributing factor in the Minneapolis collapse. There were 13 deaths and 145 seriously injured from the collapse. In the past 30 years, other major bridge collapses were the Big Bayou Canot Bridge in Mobile, Alabama, in 1993, and the I-40 bridge across the Arkansas River in 2002. A barge struck the I-40 bridge spanning the Arkansas River in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, resulting in the death of 14 people. A similar occurrence caused the downfall of the Big Bayou Canot Bridge: A towboat hit the bridge during a fog. NTSB’s initial investigation determined that no one was criminally liable, but a later independent investigation for National Geographic found that welding a simple iron block onto the bridge could have secured it against unintended movement. In recent years, bridge collapses due the structures being in poor condition have waned. This is due in part to a new rule from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) that requires new bridges to be designed with a 75-year service life, compared to the previous 50 years. The previous ruling has left the average lifespan of a bridge to be 44 years, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). These progressions do not mean U.S. bridges are in great shape. At the current pace of bridge improvements, it would take approximately 40 years to repair the current backlog of structurally deficient bridges, ASCE said. There are a total of 615,318 bridges in the U.S. Of those, 47,223 are considered structurally deficient, according to a report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). It would cost $41.8 billion to repair every structurally deficient bridge in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT. That number doesn’t include the 79,500 bridges that need complete replacement. “Unfortunately, 178 million trips are taken across these structurally deficient bridges every day,” the ASCE says. “In recent years, though, as the average age of America’s bridges increases to 44 years, the number of structurally deficient bridges has continued to decline; however, the rate of improvements has slowed.” Meanwhile, the importance of keeping the nation’s bridges safe has not changed, and new technologies, materials and construction methods have advanced to meet the challenge of maintaining existing bridges. President Joe Biden proposes to fix the 10 most “economically significant” bridges in need of reconstruction or repair in his infrastructure plan. Ten thousand smaller bridges rated in “poor” condition are also included. However, the American Jobs Plan does not identify which bridges would receive funding. Instead, the plan includes a competitive grant program in which states can display their most worn down and unsound bridges. In the meantime, the ASCE said, bridge engineers are using materials such as high-performance concrete and steel, as well as corrosion-resistant reinforcement, to help make these spans safer. Engineers are also working to create sensors for new and existing structures that will provide continuous updates on bridge conditions. Ed Lutgen, a bridge construction maintenance engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, said there are multiple challenges when it comes to repairing bridges. “We’d like to fix or repair all structurally deficient bridges in the state, but obviously we don’t have funds for all of that, nor does it make all the sense in the world to do that,” he said. “There’s traffic impacts as you’re doing the repair. You have to detour traffic and do it under stage area construction.” According to the Urban Mobility Report from Texas A&M University’s Transportation Institute, congestion and delay costs drivers $160 billion every year. Truck drivers were represented in $28 billion of the total cost. In 2014, drivers spent 3.1 billion additional gallons of fuel for the nearly 6.9 billion hours they spent in traffic. “Bridges allow us to make countless vital connections every day through all modes of transportation,” said Tony Dorsey, spokesman for AASHTO. “For example, the I-40 bridge closure impacted both roadway and waterway traffic that was passing on and underneath the bridge. Railroads, both passenger and freight, also depend on bridges, as do pedestrians and bicyclists who ride on bridges to cross otherwise impassable obstacles.” Ultimately, this affects truck drivers. According to the Associated Press, the I-40 bridge closure has caused delays along the detour route — the nearby I-55 bridge — leading some carriers to change work times for drivers. In early June, Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton noted the I-40 bridge closure was costing the trucking industry about $2.4 million a day. On June 28, following efforts by TDOT and the Arkansas Department of Transportation to facilitate traffic flow along I-55 and through West Memphis, Arkansas, Newton reported a marked improvement. “When the bridge first closed, delays were regularly exceeding an hour. Now … that delay is down to only 15 minutes,” she said, noting that recent traffic data along the detour route suggests the average cost to the trucking industry had dropped to about $936,000 a day. Operational cost data provided by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows that the average cost of operating a truck is $71.78 an hour, or $1.20 a minute. “We commend the Arkansas and Tennessee Departments of Transportation for acting in response to the concerns of the trucking industry and implementing measures to improve traffic flow on this major east-west shipping corridor,” she said.

North Carolina DOT plans improvements to streamline commercial truck traffic in Nash County

The Trucker News Staff - July 7, 2021

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced in late June that improvements are planned for Nash County. Two bridges over Interstate 95 will be replaced and Exit 145 will be refigured to better handle commercial truck traffic. NCDOT has awarded a $23 million contract to Barnhill Contracting Co. to replace the following bridges that cross I-95: Swift Creek School Road (N.C. 33) bridge at Exit 150, and Watson Seed Farm Road overpass. According to NCDOT, both bridges are reaching the end of their useful life. They will be replaced with longer bridges designed to accommodate the future widening of the interstate. During construction, these bridges will be closed with marked detours. Under the same contract, the Gold Rock interchange at Exit 145 along I-95 will be modified as follows: Permanently remove the Halifax Road overpass and realign that road to form a diamond-type interchange at Exit 145, with roundabouts at the entrance and exit ramps, and Improve the intersection of N.C. 4 and N.C. 48 by adding a left turn lane on N.C. 48. The contractor is scheduled to begin improving the Gold Rock interchange in August. The N.C. 33 bridge will be closed beginning this fall for about nine months for reconstruction. When the new N.C. 33 bridge opens, the contractor will close the Watson Seed Farm Road overpass for a similar duration. All projects associated with this contract are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023.

PA Turnpike approves 5% toll increase for 2022 reflecting lowest increase in six years

The Trucker News Staff - July 7, 2021

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) announced July 6 the approval of a 5% toll increase for 2022 for both E-ZPass and toll-by-plate customers. The increase is slated to start at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2022 and will be effective across the entire system except on the Southern Beltway (PA Turnpike 576) west of Pittsburgh. E-ZPass drivers will continue to receive the lowest toll rates across the PA Turnpike. Non-E-ZPass customers can download the PA TOLL PAY smartphone app to create an autopay account. Like all previous annual increases since 2009, the measure is generally required to meet escalating debt-service costs resulting from the PTC’s payments to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for transit operations under Pennsylvania Acts 44 and 89. This year, however, there is one significant difference: Under those statutes, the PTC plans to make its final annual payment of $450 million later this month. “[This] action is the first time in six years that the rate of increase is under 6%,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Starting in July 2022, our transit funding requirement to PennDOT under Act 44 of 2007 will be cut to $50 million annually. Finally, we are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel. In addition to breathing a huge sigh of relief ourselves, it enables us to begin to offer some relief to customers from those heftier toll increases and refocus on essential improvements to our roadway.” Beginning in July 2022, the $400 million in annual transit funding that had been provided by the PTC will be funded by the Commonwealth’s Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (MVSUT) as prescribed by Act 89 of 2013. Act 89, however, does not eliminate the commission’s debt, future debt service or funding obligation. Even with this relief, the PTC is still responsible for annual payments to PennDOT of $50 million until June 2057, and it must continue to pay down debt incurred from previous borrowing needed to fund Act 44 payments. “The Act 44 sunsetting spelled out in Act 89 of 2013 is critical if the PTC is to remain fiscally sound as an organization and for the economic vitality of Turnpike-connected communities,” Compton said. “But it’s important for customers understand that, even with the reduced obligation, we are still looking at annual toll increases of 5% from through 2025, 4% in 2026, 3.5% in 2027, then 3% annually from 2028 to 2050.” Because of borrowing required by the Act 44 funding plan, the PTC currently has annual Act 44 debt-service obligations of nearly $400 million. Due to the terms of these bonds, the PTC’s Act 44 debt service will continue to rise even though borrowing has ended. Act 44 debt service will grow to an annual maximum of nearly $600 million by 2038 before it starts to decrease. Because of the PTC’s action, the most-common toll for a passenger vehicle next year will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for toll-by-plate customers. The most common toll for a Class 5 tractor-trailer will increase from $13 to $13.70 for E-ZPass and from $26.60 to $28 for those who use toll-by-plate. The cashless toll for a passenger vehicle at the westbound Delaware River Bridge will increase from $6.10 to $6.50 for E-ZPass customers and from $8.20 to $8.70 for toll-by-plate customers. The PTC also approved the toll-rate schedule for the opening of the Southern Beltway slated for October. Tolls for the Southern Beltway will include the application of the 45% additional charge that is in place on the turnpike system. However, there will be no January 2022 toll increase for the Southern Beltway. The PTC first started making Act 44 payments to PennDOT in August 2007. It has increased tolls annually since 2009, providing $7.45 billion in toll-backed funding to PennDOT in 14 years. After the 2022 increase is applied, E-ZPass and TOLL BY PLATES rates for both passenger and commercial vehicles will round up to the next dime. The PTC will post a 2022 trip calculator and toll schedule online this fall. Visit https://www.paturnpike.com/toll/tollmileage.aspx.

West Seattle, Spokane Street bridges secure $11.2M for repairs

The Associated Press - July 6, 2021

SEATTLE — The West Seattle High-Rise Bridge and the lower Spokane Street swing bridge are the beneficiaries of an $11.2 million federal grant, according to state transportation officials. The money will be used to make significant structural repairs to both bridges, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported June 29. “Investments for this important safety project are essential to meeting our aggressive timeline and re-establishing mobility across the region,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in the release. “We greatly appreciate the U.S. Department of Transportation’s partnership to focus on one of the highest priority projects for the region and state.” The West Seattle Bridge was closed in March 2020 due to large cracks that emerged along the center. As a result, the city restricted access to the Spokane Street Swing Bridge to ensure freight, transit and emergency vehicles could access West Seattle. With the city’s decision to repair the bridge, officials expect it to reopen sometime in 2022. Once repaired, the lifespan of the bridge is estimated to be between 15 to 45 years. Before closing, it carried an average of 100,000 vehicles and 25,000 transit riders a day. The money was awarded to the city through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America discretionary grant program, which the U.S. Department of Transportation launched in 2017.

South Dakota man indicted for 2020 theft of fuel truck

The Trucker News Staff - July 6, 2021

PINE RIDGE, S.D. — A South Dakota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, according to Dennis Holmes, acting U.S. attorney. Cole Brewer, 29, was indicted May 20, 2021. On June 16, he entered a plea of not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann. If convicted, Brewer faces 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, three years supervised release, and a payment of $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. The charge alleges that Brewer stole a Freightliner fuel truck from Hay Springs, Nebraska, in June 2020 and transported the truck across the state line. The investigation is being conducted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case. Brewer was detained pending trial. A trial date has not been set.

Washington State opens new bridge, roundabout at Puget Sound to streamline freight mobility

The Trucker News Staff - July 2, 2021

FIFE, Wash. — The four-lane Wapato Way East Bridge and new State Route 99 roundabout over Interstate 5 made its debut in late June and is now open to traffic, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “This important step forward in the Puget Sound Gateway Program brings us that much closer to improving connections to our ports and distribution centers,” said Washington’s Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee. “Hundreds of thousands of jobs in our state depend on trade — from the farms of eastern Washington to the industrial centers of Puget Sound. We are investing in a future that will keep Washington products competitive on a global scale and provide new transportation choices for all.” According to WSDOT, the newly opened Wapato Way East Bridge doubles the capacity of the two-lane bridge it replaces. The multi-lane roundabout on State Route 99 also reduces delays for drivers and freight haulers heading to and from the Port of Tacoma. “It’s exciting to see this milestone in the Puget Sound Gateway Program,” said Washington State Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. “It sets the stage for us to complete critical infrastructure to benefit all travelers and illustrates how WSDOT considers freight, commuters and active transportation in our projects. This program enhances the economic competitiveness of the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma and helps create family-wage paying jobs in close proximity to residential areas in South King and Pierce counties, shortening commutes for workers and providing multimodal alternatives to driving alone to Seattle.” The bridge and roundabout replace the nearby 70th Avenue East Bridge, which is now closed and are expected to be removed. According to a statement from WSDOT, the project is a milestone in the Puget Sound Gateway Program’s State Route 167 Completion Project, which will eventually extend the route between Puyallup, Washington, and the Port of Tacoma. Although drivers can now use the Wapato Way East Bridge, construction will continue through the summer to extend the nearby Interurban Trail and connect it to a 12-foot-wide pedestrian and bike-friendly path on the bridge. Kickoff of the next stage of State Route 167 construction, the building of a new 2-mile-long highway between I-5 and the Port of Tacoma, is planned for 2022. “To stay competitive, we must respond to the needs of the shipping industry and the demands of the economy for greater maritime efficiency,” said Port of Tacoma Commissioner Dick Marzano. “Road investments like the completion of SR 167 are key to port connectivity, helping to ensure that we continue to serve as an economic engine for Pierce County and the state while also easing congestion.”

Iowa DOT partners with ag industry to help first responders better handle livestock-transport crashes

The Trucker News Staff - July 2, 2021

AMES, Iowa — It’s not unusual to travel down an Iowa interstate alongside a semitruck loaded with livestock or poultry. What is not often seem is the aftermath when one of these trucks crashes. To address these issues, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has developed a webinar series highlighting and overcoming specific challenges in a livestock carrier crash. Crashes involving livestock often require the assistance of animal handlers and veterinarians. It may be necessary to round up loose animals and construct temporary holding pens — causing additional delays and complications at the crash site. If the first responders are not trained in how to deal with traffic crashes involving livestock, there is an increase in risk to the people and animals near the incident. “We recognized that crashes, especially rollover crashes that involve livestock, can impact both public safety and animal welfare,” said Jamee Eggers of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “We developed this series that includes topics like animal handling and scene management to help responders understand what they might encounter. First responders aren’t typically trained animal handlers, and animal handlers don’t typically understand traffic incident management. The more we can educate first responders on what to expect and who to contact, the safer we’ll all be in the event of an incident.” Since these incidents do not occur often, Eggers said it is important to develop relationships between animal care specialists and first responders. “From a road user perspective, the cost of these incidents is very high because they often take several hours to clear,” said Bonnie Castillo, traffic incident manager for the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). “Much of that time is spent trying to find the resources to provide care for the animals involved. If we can get the word out to responders on who to contact, that will speed up clearance times, reducing the inconvenience and increasing safety to the other drivers on the road.” Eggars said response to the webinars has been positive. “We used real-world examples that resonated with the attendees (of the webinars),” Eggers said. “These examples generated a lot of great questions and allowed us to provide resources that folks may not have been aware of. The series started conversations between people who don’t typically interact, but the relationships are essential in an emergency.” This training is also being considered as part of the Statewide Traffic Incident Management conference being planned for 2022. Castillo said exercises with IDOT district staff, the Iowa State Patrol and others are also in the planning stages as funding is available.

Truckers fume as Alabama detours them from I-10 tunnel

The Associated Press - July 2, 2021

MOBILE, Ala. — Trucking officials are unhappy after the Alabama Department of Transportation moved with little notice to divert trucks from the Interstate 10 tunnel in Mobile. The state announced Thursday, July 1, that trucks had to detour from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday in an effort to reduce traffic on I-10 before the July 4 holiday. Traffic commonly backs up for miles on I-10 through Mobile as tourists make their way to and from Gulf of Mexico beaches. There are sharp curves at each end of the George Wallace Tunnel and eastbound I-10 narrows to two lanes as it prepares to plunge under the Mobile River. The worst backups are usually on Saturdays. “We’re anticipating 90,000 to 100,000 vehicles per day traveling through the Wallace Tunnel this weekend. It’s just to help maintain the speeds through the tunnel and move more passenger vehicles,” Alabama Department of Transportation engineer Matt Ericksen told WPMI-TV. Trucks are being rerouted to the north to the Cochrane Africatown USA Bridge, the route that’s already required for hazardous material carriers. It’s the first time outside of a hurricane evacuation that Alabama has routed truck traffic away from the tunnel. Mark Colson, president and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association, said state officials have botched the move, not notifying trucking groups in advance, requiring trucks to quickly exit, and placing an officer in the middle of the highway to flag down trucks that missed the notification. “The decision that was made was implemented very poorly and created some serious safety hazards, one of which was an officer standing in the middle of two lanes of the interstate, which was not safe for him or surrounding motorists and caused unnecessary and unsafe backups,” Colson told AL.com. Mobile Public Safety Director Lawrence Battiste said the city did not learn of the decision until after state officials made it. Tunnel traffic spills into city streets as motorists try to drive north to the bridge or use the older Bankhead Tunnel in downtown Mobile. Alabama is considering a $725 million truck-only bridge over the Mobile River to relieve congestion after a plan for a larger $2.1 billion bridge collapsed over opposition to projected tolls. The truck bridge would be finance by a $10 to $15 toll on trucks. Colson opposes the bridge, saying it’s unfair to toll only trucks. “Trucks are just 10% of the traffic. As you can see now, if you just remove less than 10% of the traffic on a holiday weekend like this, it doesn’t solve the congestion problem, and neither will a truck-only toll bridge,” Colson said.

17 hurt when bomb squad blows illegal fireworks cache in Los Angeles

The Associated Press - July 2, 2021

LOS ANGELES — A massive explosion rocked a Los Angeles neighborhood June 30 as homemade fireworks were being destroyed by a bomb squad, leaving a trail of destruction, injuries and questions in its wake as the July Fourth holiday approaches. Seventeen people were hurt — including nine Los Angeles police officers and a federal agent — in the blast, which also flipped and damaged cars and smashed windows in homes and a laundromat. The explosion was heard blocks away. It could take days to determine why the material exploded inside a spherical containment vessel on a tractor-trailer, tearing the rig apart in what was supposed to be a safe operation to handle explosives that were too unstable to remove from a South Los Angeles neighborhood where tons of illegal fireworks were discovered. The one-ton lid of the vessel flew into a backyard two blocks away, breaking a lemon tree and damaging the house, KNBC-TV reported. Experts say the explosion was highly unusual, especially for a law enforcement agency with the size and resources of the Los Angeles Police Department. The blast could have been the result of human error — such as not correctly sealing the vessel or over-loading it with material — or a defect in the equipment like a micro-fissure that has grown with time and use. Or both. “They were very lucky that nobody got killed here,” said Glenn Corbett, a fire science professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Bomb squads nationwide will likely now double-check their own equipment in remote locations, to be sure there aren’t potential defects in their containment vessels, which cost tens of thousands of dollars, that could hurt more people, Corbett said. The LAPD did not answer questions July 1 seeking information such as how old the containment vessel was and how many times it had been used and inspected. But Chief Michel Moore previously said “clearly, protocols were followed and pursued.” “But something happened in that containment vessel that should not have happened, and we don’t know why,” Moore said. “But we intend to find out why.” Less than 10 pounds (4.54 kilograms) of material was placed in the chamber, far less than its safety rating, Moore said. He described the material as 40 home-made devices the size of Coca-Cola cans with simple fuses and 200 smaller but similar devices. “This vessel should have been able to dispose of that material,” he said. But instead there was a “total, catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle.” Typically, the heavy-duty hydraulic doors will latch and lock — usually by remote — and the detonation is instantaneous. The displaced blast wave is absorbed by the vessel and released outside safely. “You wouldn’t even know,” said Sean Dennis, president and co-founder of the United States Bomb Technician Association, besides a muffled ding and a light hiss when some of the pressure is released. The LAPD has not said what company made the containment device. Attempts to reach several manufacturers July 1 were unsuccessful. The explosion came after police had spent the day disposing of about 3,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,360 to 2,268 kilograms) of commercial-grade fireworks that were found in the home following an early-morning tip. Police found some of them on a patio in cartons stacked 8 to 10 feet (2.44 to 3 meters) high, Moore said. Fireworks are illegal to sell or possess in Los Angeles and in unincorporated areas of the county. A resident, Arturo Cejas, 27, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device, but he also may face charges of child endangerment because his 10-year-old brother was in the home, Moore said. It wasn’t immediately known whether Cejas had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The fireworks cartons were marked “Made in China.” The police chief said they were bought out of state in order to sell them in the neighborhood for use on the Fourth of July. Peter Diaczuk, a forensic science professor at John Jay, said the size of the blast indicated high-explosive devices that wouldn’t be used for a local Independence Day celebration. As the holiday approaches, fire departments statewide are confiscating tens of thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks and warning users that setting them off could lead to devastating wildfires. Los Angeles police on July 1 announced that they seized another ton of illegal fireworks from a shipping container, and the bomb squad trucked it to a storage facility. In LA, Moore said June 30 that three box trucks and a 53-foot (16-meter) trailer were brought in to load up the fireworks at the South Los Angeles home and move them to a safe location. However, the “improvised explosives” that were also found were too dangerous to move, the chief said. There was a 300-foot boundary around the vessel — a typical safety range — and police had knocked on doors before the blast to evacuate homes on both sides of the street where the truck was parked. But firefighters later found people in some of the homes, officials said. It’s not unusual for bomb squads to not know exactly what comprises the homemade explosives they are detonating, Diaczuk said. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with. You don’t know what this character made,” he said. “It doesn’t come with ingredients in it like when you go to the grocery store.” By Stefanie Dazio and Robert Jablon, The Associated Press

Homing pigeons fly the coop, shut down I-95 exit in Daytona Beach

The Trucker News Staff - July 1, 2021

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Officials are searching for the owner of nearly 75 homing pigeons that flew the coop, resulting in the shutdown of the Interstate 95 exit at International Speedway Boulevard this week. According to a press release from Florida’s Volusia County, shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, the Volusia Sheriff’s office began receiving reports of “500 white doves” blinding drivers on I-95 in Daytona Beach. The Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were also called to the scene. Preliminary investigations at the scene revealed that a crate carrying more than 100 homing pigeons fell off a truck and burst open on the road. Because birds roost at night, the pigeons stayed on the road, until bright lights from vehicles startled the birds, causing them to fly into the air and create a hazard for drivers. For the safety of drivers and the birds, the exit ramp was shut down for almost three hours as the agencies worked together to capture the pigeons. More than 70 pigeons were recovered and are being housed at Volusia County Animal Services. However, officials said, the birds are not banded, making it difficult to know where the birds came from or who they belong to. “Our job is to help animals find their way home, whether they’re covered in fur, scales, or in this case feathers,” said Volusia County Animal Control Officer Alicia Dease. “We’re hoping someone out there might have information on where these birds came from or the truck that was carrying them. While homing pigeons aren’t as common as dogs or cats, they are cared about by someone, and we want to ensure they’re returned to their rightful owner.” Anyone with information regarding the pigeons should call Volusia County Animal Services at 386-248-1790 or email [email protected].

House approves $715 billion transportation, water bill

The Associated Press - July 1, 2021

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led House approved a sizable $715 billion transportation bill Thursday, July 1, a potential investment in roads, rail, public transit and water over five years that could serve as a marker in the negotiations over a bipartisan infrastructure package. The bill passed largely along party lines by a vote of 221-201. President Joe Biden and a bipartisan group of senators have already agreed to a blueprint for a new infrastructure package, but it has not yet been turned into legislation. House Democrats will be pushing to include many of their bill’s provisions when Congress negotiates the broader bipartisan product this summer. The primary author of the House bill, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said the investment being proposed would allow the country to repair bridges, roads and tunnels, thereby increasing the country’s economic competitiveness while also tackling what he called the country’s “new existential challenge, which is climate change.” “We have to rebuild in ways that we never even thought about before. It’s going to be expensive, but the good news is, it is going to create millions, millions of good paying jobs,” DeFazio said. The legislation provides a potential building block toward Biden’s broader infrastructure proposals. It serves as a starting point for some of the public works investments under discussion, but leaves the decision about how to pay for them for another day. Biden has suggested raising the corporate tax rate to fund infrastructure investments, but Republicans oppose that and would vote against it. The bipartisan group of 10 senators negotiating a nearly $1 trillion plan narrowed on a variety of potential funding sources that don’t involve tax increases. House Republicans took issue with the transportation bill being considered Thursday because it doesn’t include a funding mechanism. Republicans argued the new spending on infrastructure would increase the deficit and ramp up inflation, hurting families when they buy gas and groceries. They also protested the exclusion of their proposals to further streamline the permitting process so that large infrastructure projects could be completed more quickly and at less cost to taxpayers. Rep. Sam Graves, the ranking Republican on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, noted that Democratic efforts last year to pass an infrastructure bill failed after the then-Republican-controlled Senate declined to take it up. “Successful legislating requires partnership — not partisanship,” Graves said. The partisan divide stands in contrast to efforts in the Senate, which this year overwhelmingly passed a $35 billion water infrastructure bill, 89-2, and where a key committee unanimously passed a bill earlier this year focused on funding for roads and bridges. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had set a goal of passing an infrastructure bill in the House before July 4. Last year, Congress was unable to reach agreement and opted to pass a short-term reauthorization of transportation programs, which will expire Sept. 30. Biden is eager for Congress to pass a bipartisan plan that would boost spending on roads, bridges, rail and other more traditional forms of infrastructure, which means putting together a package that could get 60 votes in the evenly split 50-50 Senate. Votes on the nearly $1 trillion proposal agreed to last week are expected by the end of July. DeFazio said he was encouraged by the bipartisan Senate blueprint. The proposed spending levels for roads, bridges and public transit are comparable to what is called for in the House bill, he said, though the spending for rail and water infrastructure is far short of the House’s bill, which calls for tripling spending for Amtrak as well as $45 billion for the replacement of water lines containing lead. The House proposal also includes some elements designed to counter climate change. Transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The House bill seeks to make alternatives to driving more attractive by boosting funding for public transit and rail. It also dedicates $4 billion to electric vehicle charging stations to speed and ease an increased use of electric vehicles. By Kevin Freking, The Associated Press

Two more plead guilty in Louisiana’s ‘Operation Sideswipe’ insurance scam

The Trucker News Staff - July 1, 2021

NEW ORLEANS — On June 23, James “Curtis” Williams, 66, of Gibson, Louisiana, and Ryan Wheaten, 53, of Lafayette, Louisiana, entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit mail fraud before U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk. The two face charges as participants in “Operation Sideswipe,” an insurance scam that centered around staged automobile accidents with tractor-trailers occurring in New Orleans. According to the guilty plea, on March 27, 2017, Williams conspired with co-defendants Tanya Givens, John Diggs and Lois Russell to stage an accident with a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road. Damien Labeaud and Roderick Hickman, who have pleaded guilty to staging other accidents, also participated in this accident. Hickman, while driving Russell’s car, intentionally struck the 18-wheeler and then fled the scene with Labeaud. Russell advised officers with the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) that she was the driver; then she, along with Williams, Givens and Diggs, made claims for personal injuries. In total, the victim trucking and insurance companies paid out approximately $272,500 for these fraudulent claims. Williams joined Hickman, Russell, Givens and Diggs in pleading guilty to this staged accident. On May 17, 2017, Wheaten, along with participants Labeaud, Mario Solomon, Henry Randle and Dakota Diggs participated in a staged automobile accident near U.S. Highway 90 East and Calliope Street. Labeaud and Solomon fled the scene. Randle falsely reported to the NOPD that he had been driving and that the tractor-trailer struck his vehicle. Shortly afterward, Labeaud and Solomon staged a second accident in the vicinity of Louisa and Chickasaw streets. After the staged accident, Wheaten, Randle, and Dakota Diggs made claims for personal injuries. The victim trucking and insurance companies paid out approximately $10,000 for these fraudulent claims. Bernell Gale, Troy Smith, Marvel Francois and another passenger were also involved. Wheaten, Labeaud, Solomon, Gale, Smith and Francois were all charged; all have now pleaded guilty. Both Williams and Wheaten face a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Upon release from prison, the two also face a term of supervised release up to three years, and/or a fine of $250,000 or the greater of twice the gross gain to each defendant or twice the gross loss to any person under Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. The sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2021. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and the Metropolitan Crime Commission all aided in the case. The prosecution is being handled by assistant U.S. attorney Edward Rivera, assistant U.S. attorney Maria Carboni, assistant U.S. attorney Shirin Hakimzadeh and assistant U.S. attorney Brian M. Klebba, supervisor of the financial crimes unit.

Louisiana agency lowers speed limit along US 165 in town of Richwood

The Trucker News Staff - July 1, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Drivers traveling U.S. 165 through Richwood, located in Louisiana’s Ouachita Parish, will notice reduced speed limits along a portion of the route. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced the new limits, along with additional safety measures being implemented, on June 29. The speed limit on U.S. 165 from Richwood Road to just south of the U-Pull-It Auto Parts has been reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph. In addition, the school-zone speed limit in the area has been lowered from 45 mph to 40 mph. “It can’t be reiterated enough that the safety of our roadways is top priority for all types of road users,” said Shawn Wilson, DOTD Secretary. “These corridor enhancements are an important improvement, but we continue to urge motorists, pedestrians, and other road users to remember that safety is a shared responsibility among all of us.” Overhead signs warning motorists of the possible presence of pedestrians have also been installed in the area. The southbound sign is located just south of Louisiana State Highway 15, and the northbound sign is located south of Charleston Drive. “I’m glad to see that many of the safety measures have been put into place, and that the street lighting project continues to move forward. The safety of our citizens is of utmost importance, and I continue to support bringing the lighting project to construction as quickly as possible, said Louisiana state Sen. Katrina Jackson (D-34). To further improve safety, a traffic signal will soon be installed at the intersection of U.S. 165 and Richwood Road No. 2, just north of Richwood Junior High School. This change comes as the result of a required traffic signal study performed for this location. According to a statement released by DODT, design plans continue to progress for a new street lighting system to be constructed on U.S. 165 in Richwood from Winnsboro Road to Charleston Drive, a little more than 3.5 miles of roadway. Currently, the project is scheduled to go to bid in May 2022. These changes are being implemented following in-depth data analysis of crash history and other factors for this particular section of U.S. 165, which is a busy thoroughfare for both motorists and pedestrians, DODT says. The targeted measures are aimed at improving safety for both motorists and pedestrians.

Trucker convicted of transporting children to engage in sexual activity

The Trucker News Staff - July 1, 2021

EL PASO, Texas – A federal jury has convicted a 59-year-old truck driver of transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and of possession of child pornography, according to a June 29 statement released by the Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Texas. Evidence presented during trial revealed that Travis Wayne Vavra was a long-haul truck driver who advertised free amusement park passes and cross-country trips for boys to explore the United States. As a result of the advertisement, Vavra transported a minor in his tractor trailer from the El Paso, Texas, area to different states, including New Mexico, Missouri, Arizona, California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Louisiana on several occasions between May 2015 and June 2019. Vavra sexually assaulted the minor during these cross-country trips which began when the victim was 9 years old. Vavra had also previously molested two other victims, according to court records. On the date of his arrest, Vavra had posted another flyer for parents and boys advertising these free cross-country trips. Vavra was also found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material on his phone at the time of his arrest. Vavra remains in federal custody. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison on the transportation of minors charge, and up to 20 years in federal prison for the possession of child pornography. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Coburn made today’s announcement. The FBI investigated and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Valenzuela and Richard Watts are prosecuting the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Moving memorial: TCA continues partnership with The Wall That Heals to bring a mobile monument to cities across the country

Cody Graves - July 1, 2021

In the shadow of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Veterans Memorial lies carved into the earth to display the names of the fallen American troops during the Vietnam War. The monument gives survivors, friends, families, and anyone else who visits the opportunity to grieve, reflect, and grow. However, not everyone can make the journey to pay their respects. That’s where The Wall That Heals, a moving monument, comes in. The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial tours the U.S. each summer. This moving exhibit gives people around the country the opportunity to have an experience similar to the one they would have if they visited the actual memorial — but in their hometowns. “Not everyone’s able to make the trip either emotionally or physically,” said Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) Director of Outreach Tim Tetz. “Maybe they’re not ready to come all the way to Washington, D.C., to see a buddy’s name or a relative’s name. Maybe they’re not able to [travel] financially or physically.” The Wall That Heals has been touring the country each summer since 1996, said Tetz. Currently, the exhibit is carried in a 53-foot trailer that stores the 140 panels that make up the 375-foot wall. The trailer also serves as a mobile education center with three six-foot video screens, a display of items left at the actual memorial, and other information panels. One of the monitors displays photos of service members listed on the wall who were from the area. The second shows photos of Vietnam veterans from the area who returned home and died later. The third screen offers a variety of educational videos. “There are very few times that you have an entire family of 10, 11, or 12 people with [multiple] generations able to experience the healing nature of the wall. Bringing it into their backyard allows just that to happen,” added Tetz. When the exhibit first started, the VVMF partnered with a trucking company that essentially gave them a truck and had permanent staff who were the drivers. Unfortunately, the company went out of business, so the VVMF turned to the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) to help keep the wall moving. “Their leadership said, ‘You guys are great at the wall, and we are great at trucking. Why don’t we create this partnership where our trucking companies haul the wall and you guys show up and do what you’re best at? And that is setting up and taking down the wall and educating people,’” added Tetz. Now, a local TCA-affiliated trucking company will pull the trailer from one city to another. Tetz said that this allows these companies to highlight their involvement, reward their drivers, and bring the exhibit to their own home states and towns. “Thousands of veterans are employed by trucking companies across the nation,” said TCA President John Lyboldt. “This partnership is an opportunity for us to honor and give back to those brave men and women who have served our country and sacrificed for our freedoms.” VVMF CEO Jim Knotts agreed that the combined efforts of the two organizations provide an excellent service to the people of the United States. “Partnering with TCA enables us to continue our mission to honor and preserve the legacy of The Wall That Heals and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War,” said Knotts. Tetz added that each stop on the tour is a five-day event, and it takes about 100 to 150 volunteers to set the wall up and break it down. The exhibit is open 24 hours a day, and nearly 8,000 people visit at each stop. He said having the exhibition open at all times is essential as it allows everyone who wants to visit the chance. The nighttime experience of the wall is unique, he noted. Like the memorial in D.C., the highly polished synthetic granite of The Wall That Heals shows the reflection of visitors and the surroundings. “It’s mind-blowing how awesome it is,” said Tetz. Names on the wall are listed by date of casualty. They begin at the center and start on the East wall working their way to the end of the wing. They pick up again at the far end of the West wall and work back to the apex, which joins the beginning and end of the conflict. Other than the size, the only difference between the actual memorial and the replica is the shape. As visitors enter the actual memorial, they descend along a walkway while the top remains at ground level. The names begin at ground level on the replica, and the wall rises to 7.5 feet at the apex. “It’s just magical to me how close it resembles the wall in Washington, D.C., and it makes me just as proud as can be that, because of the partnerships that we have with the trucking industry and the hosts that bring us into these communities, we’re able to let those people experience that same feeling,” added Tetz. Visit truckload.org/vvmf or vvmf.org for more information about The Wall That Heals.

Love’s Travel Stops opens new location in Alamo, Michigan

The Trucker News Staff - June 30, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Love’s Travel Stops is serving customers with 59 truck parking spaces at its new travel stop that opened in Alamo, Michigan on June 24. The store, located off of U.S. Highway 131 at 7900 Adobe Road, also has 68 car parking spaces. “We’re excited to add another clean and well-maintained stop to the Midwest and add our ninth location in Michigan,” said Greg Love, co-CEO of Love’s. “Our team members are great people who care and are ready to get professional drivers and four-wheel customers back on the road quickly and safely in time for the thick of summer travel and one of the busiest times for hauling.” This location is open 24/7 and offers many amenities, including: More than 12,000 square feet; McDonald’s; 59 truck parking spaces; 68 car parking spaces; Three RV parking spaces; Six diesel bays; Five showers; Laundry facilities; Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee; Brand-name snacks; Fresh Kitchen concept; Mobile to Go Zone; CAT scale; and Dog park. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will donate $2,000 to Plainwell High School.