The Nation Archives

Fire-damaged Brent Spence Bridge to be repaired, open to traffic Dec. 23

The Trucker News Staff - November 17, 2020

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has awarded a contract to Kokosing Construction Co. to repair and reopen the fire-damaged Brent Spence Bridge that connects northern Kentucky to Cincinnati, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray announced Nov. 16. The multilevel structure, which conveys Interstates 71 and 75 across the Ohio River and sees about 160,000 vehicles per day, has been closed since a fiery truck crash damaged the bridge Nov. 11. The bridge is a critical link in one of the nation’s busiest traffic corridors. Kokosing Construction, headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, submitted a low bid of $3,127,528 and committed to having the bridge reopened to traffic by Dec. 23. There will be additional costs — the exact amount is yet to be determined — for ancillary expenses such as traffic control, construction inspection and additional steel. An in-depth inspection of the bridge, supported by laboratory testing, showed that damage was localized, and the structural integrity of the bridge was not compromised. “The bridge is safe and sound and sturdy. The damage could have been far worse,” Gray said. “This has been confirmed through an exhaustive inspection of the bridge, supported by laboratory analysis.” The repair project would have been much more complicated if any of the critical steel support components had been compromised. “Once the lab testing told us the critical supports were still strong and not compromised, the repair job became clear from an engineering and construction standpoint,” Gray said. Engineers from potential repair contractors examined the structure over the weekend. KYTC, which employed an emergency bidding process, accepted Kokosing’s bid Monday, Nov. 16. “We are determined to get the repair project underway as soon as safely possible because of the importance of the Brent Spence to the communities it connects and to the nation’s commerce,” Gray said. “At the same time, we are going to return to the public a safe, sound bridge. There will be no cutting corners.” The U.S. Department of Transportation has authorized up to $12 million in emergency relief reimbursement funding for expenses related to the project. Needed repairs to the bridge include replacement of a section of the upper concrete deck in addition to steel beams, known as stringers, that support the deck weight. A section of the lower deck will be milled out and filled with new concrete but does not require complete replacement. A lengthy stretch of concrete bridge railing will also be replaced. Beyond those items will be electrical and drainage work and some cosmetic fixes, such as restriping the pavement markings. The crash and fire occurred about midway on the lower northbound traffic deck of the two-deck bridge, which connects Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky. Current construction plans do not require closing of the river. River traffic can continue. For a visual of anticipated bridge repairs, click here, and for updates on the repairs, click here. While repairs are being made to the Brent Spence Bridge, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is conducting routine maintenance near the structure, the agency reported Nov. 13. “Our managers have been reviewing that area to look for any maintenance improvements, some of which have already started, that can be completed while the bridge is closed,” said Doug Gruver, ODOT’s District 8 highway management administrator. “This allows us to get some needed work done without adding additional impacts to drivers and keeps our workers safe.” Crews are currently working to clean drains, make pavement repairs, sweep the area, inspect overhead structures, clear nearby vegetation and remove litter. This is an example of ODOT continuing to work for the public and make the most of the current situation.

Women In Trucking unveils association’s new driver ambassador trailer

The Trucker News Staff - November 16, 2020

PLOVER Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) unveiled its new driver ambassador trailer — officially dubbed “WITney” — during the 2020 Accelerate! Virtual Conference & Expo. WIT launched its driver ambassador program in February to help raise awareness of the nonprofit organization’s mission, promote the career opportunities women have in trucking, celebrate the accomplishments of women in the industry, remove obstacles faced by female truck drivers, and increase membership for the organization. Kellylynn McLaughlin, a professional over-the-road commercial motor vehicle driver and training engineer for Schneider National, is the official WIT Driver Ambassador; the program is managed by Debbie Sparks, vice president of WIT. Since the driver ambassador program’s launch, McLaughlin has provided interviews with industry media and has spoken at driving schools, associations, girl scout events, and other industry events. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted her in-person speaking engagements, McLaughlin pivoted by taking to social media to share helpful information in her “A Day in the Life of a Driver” video series. In addition, she writes monthly blogs for WIT. During the next phase of the program, McLaughlin will soon travel the country, hauling the eye-catching WIT-branded trailer. A handful of trailer wrap manufacturers submitted concepts and bids for the design; the WIT driver ambassador task force selected the final concept from Turbo Studio. The official trailer wrap features an empowered woman wearing a superhero cape and grasping a steering wheel, along with the messages “Redefining the Road,” “Safe, Strong, Independent” and “You Can Do It!” Turbo Graphics will install the wrap. Inside the trailer is an educational mobile unit that introduces the career of professional truck driving, features personal success stories from female drivers, and shares the history of WIT and its mission. Interactive kiosks will quiz visitors on their knowledge of the trucking industry. Visitors can also experience a state-of-the-art driver simulator, donated by Advanced Training Systems, and check out a display of a woman’s industry uniform. As many in the industry know, professional drivers like to name their rigs. To engage its supporters, WIT called on its members and the industry at large to submit name suggestions for the trailer. More than 100 submissions were received, including Luella (named after the first female commercial truck driver), Tanya Trucker, Wander Woman, Willa Storm and WITney – an homage to the association’s abbreviation. After receiving the most votes, WITney was selected as the official name of the WIT driver ambassador trailer. “I cannot wait to hit the road with our new expo trailer,” McLaughlin said. “It’s going to be a powerful and very visible symbol of what women have to offer the freight industry. I will be so proud to haul it.” Numerous sponsors have helped bring the trailer to life, including Schneider, Walmart, Michelin, Cummins, Freightliner, Bolt Custom Trucks, TVC ProDriver, Arrow Truck, Safety4Her, Juno Jones Shoes, Thermo King, Koesters, and Patriot Lift. Additional sponsors are welcome. “The driver ambassador program illustrates how a community can come together and bring a vision to life. Without the support of our sponsors, this would not have been possible,” said WIT’s Sparks. For more information about WIT or the driver ambassador program, click here.

Stop the Tires 2020 calls off Thanksgiving weekend work stoppage

Cliff Abbott - November 16, 2020

The movement that gathered nearly 75,000 followers in its one-week existence came to a halt as the person who started it all backed away from calls for a work stoppage, saying, “Now is not the time.” In an appearance on the video blog “The Post Trip with James Rogers,” Stop the Tires 2020 creator Jeremy Rewoldt discussed how the overwhelming growth of the Facebook group took him by surprise and thrust him into a position of leadership he had not anticipated. “I am no leader,” he said. “But I am a believer. What I am asking for next is for you to NOT stop your tires. Now is not the time.” Rogers, the show’s host, referenced and then read much of an article published last week by The Trucker, “Stop the Tires 2020 founder hopes to gain understanding, support of trucking industry issues from government,” about Rewoldt and his group. Rogers said he had reached out to Rewoldt after reading The Trucker’s story to give him a chance to change course. “You made an emotion-based decision based on a presumed result of the election that hasn’t been certified yet,” he told Rewoldt in the interview. “I did,” admitted Rewoldt. During the interview, Rewoldt discussed how the administrative team he had assembled had ultimately fractured over disagreements about the purpose of the group. Rewoldt favored a work stoppage only, with no action taken that might harm trucking’s image, such as slowing or blocking traffic and not interfering with shipments of medical supplies. Rewoldt also posted his request on the Stop the Tires 2020 page, saying, “When this group was made the intentions were to talk and BS amongst a few, if not a couple hundred, people, my friends and others included. What I though was going to be a few hundred turned into 75K people who I now had to voice for.” The group’s profile photo was changed to now include the words “Canceled, stand down, do not stop, now is not the time.” One person that Rewoldt referred to as the “workhorse” of the group created pages on other social-media sites, as well as a standalone website, and had begun soliciting funds for the group — all, Rewoldt told Rogers, without his knowledge or approval. “When I first started the group, I made it clear that I want no boost like money or profit coming into my group,” he explained. Hours before Rewoldt appeared on “The Post Trip,” Cara Carroll, who initially referred to herself as a “co-founder” of the Stop the Tires 2020 group, posted in another Facebook trucking group that she was no longer associated with Rewoldt’s group due to “different visions for the movement moving forward.” Other members have moved on to a variety of trucking groups on Facebook, expressing a desire to become more active in protesting conditions faced by drivers and owner-operators. Some are still concerned about policies president-elect Joe Biden could enact upon inauguration, such as restrictions on fracking and the Green New Deal; others voice more traditional trucker complaints, such as overregulation, taxes and insufficient pay. In any event, the scheduled Nov. 26-29 shutdown scheduled by the Stop the Tires group has been called off. While some continue to claim in other groups that they will shut their trucks down anyway, no group has come forward to claim leadership over any such movement. At this point, there doesn’t seem to be much agreement on a cause or what actions will be taken in its support.

AASHTO Transportation Policy Forum maps out post-election political landscape

The Trucker News Staff - November 16, 2020

WASHINGTON— The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials provided an overview of the potential post-election shifts in national transportation policies and priorities during its 2020 annual meeting. During the organization’s Transportation Policy Forum virtual summit on November 12, Jim Tymon, AASHTO’s executive director, explained that though several elections for seats in the House of Representatives have yet to be called, the Democratic party is expected to retain control of the House, albeit with a narrower majority. “We do not expect to see any major changes in leadership there,” Tymon said. “Rep. DeFazio [D-Ore.] will remain chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee while Rep. Sam Graves [R-Mo.] will remain the ranking member.” He noted, however, that control of the Senate is “less certain” with both Georgia senate seats headed for runoff elections in January 2021. “Right now, Republicans hold 50 seats the Democrats 48 seats, so those two Georgia seats will determine of control of Senate,” Tymon said. “Regardless of what happens in Georgia, it is not unusual to see shifts in committee leadership mainly because of the term limits. So we will likely see some changes if Republicans retain control,” he added, with possibly Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., leaving as chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to take over as chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. That would most likely mean Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., would become the EPW committee’s new chair. If the Democratic party gains control of the Senate, there would also be committee leadership shifts but it is “a little less clear what those changes would look like — we need to wait and see how the runoff elections turn out,” he pointed out. However, regardless of which party is in charge on the Senate side, Tymon said he expects “infrastructure will be a priority, either as part of a larger infrastructure package or within surface transportation reauthorization legislation and we expect Congress will dive into that in early spring.” With AASHTO’s reauthorization principles adopted at its 2019 annual meeting in St. Louis as foundation for policy, Tymon noted that the organization will expand its focus to include “emerging issues” such as infrastructure resilience, electric vehicle infrastructure, the impact of climate change, greenhouse gas emission reductions and autonomous vehicle infrastructure needs. “Those are issues we’ve been talking about for a while, but their prominence in Congress increased in importance last year and will likely rise further under President-elect Biden next year,” he said. The next four weeks, however, will be critical as fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills need to be passed. “Current federal funding only gets us through December 11 and Congress needs to find some way to get the federal government funded through September 30, 2021,” Tymon noted. “And there is not much time to do that as the legislative calendar is short: The Senate is only in session for 21 days through the rest of this year and the House for only 13 days.” Yet he is hopeful that funding measures will be passed in part because the Senate Committee on Appropriations released all 12 of its FY 2021 funding measures and subcommittee allocations on November 10 – paving the way for negotiations with the House, which released a “minibus” of appropriations bills on July 31. Finally, Tymon noted that a COVID-19 relief measure remains “a big priority” for AASHTO and state DOT community. “We continue to have a lot of support from our transportation industry partners,” Tymon said. “There is a lot of uncertainty but also a lot of energy and excitement as a new administration comes in with new priorities and ideas. It is an exciting time to see what is going to happen in the future.” This story was published in The Journal, the official publication of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, on November 13.

Portion of U.S. 95 in central Idaho closed due to wintry conditions, multiple crashes

The Trucker News Staff - November 13, 2020

WHITEBIRD, Idaho — U.S. 95 in central Idaho is closed in both directions between mileposts 223 and 290, from Whitebird Grade to Culdesac, because of heavy wind, blowing snow and hazardous conditions, according to the Idaho State Police. The Idaho State Police, Idaho Transportation Department ad Lewis and Idaho county sheriff’s departments are currently working a number of crashes. Drivers should visit 511.idaho.gov or use the Idaho 511 app to check road conditions.

Stop The Tires 2020 founder hopes to gain understanding, support of trucking industry issues from government

Cliff Abbott - November 13, 2020

It wasn’t supposed to happen. A truck driver from rural Washington state, concerned about the results of this year’s presidential election and the policies a new administration might bring, wanted to generate some discussion among friends. “I decided to create a Facebook page where me and my buddies could gather to shoot the s**t about the policies that will be implemented if Trump is no longer the president,” said StoptheTires2020 founder Jeremy Rewoldt. He wasn’t ready for what happened next. “I woke up the next morning and 10,000 people had joined,” he said. In the week following its Nov. 6 founding, the group accumulated more than 67,500 members. It’s still growing. Thrust into a leadership role, Rewoldt said he struggled to learn the ropes of guiding a movement. He enlisted the help of additional administrators for the Facebook page, and has tried to clarify the purpose and positions of the group to the public. In a policy statement posted yesterday, he stated that the group’s mission, “was and still remains to be, our concern in reference to the negative affects (sic), that a green new deal or any ban on fracking, would have on our country.” Rewoldt has been interviewed on FOX News and several networks that tend to lean conservative, which were attracted by the group’s opposition to president-elect Joe Biden’s stance on fracking and the Green New Deal. “At one point, I had been up for 36 straight hours,” Rewoldt told The Trucker in an exclusive interview. “I told my fiancée, ‘I need a break.’ It’s been crazy ever since.” He was on the job as he spoke, driving a shift that began at 4 a.m. in his home state of Washington. Concerned about harassment, he declined to provide details of the carrier he works for or the route he runs. Because of its explosive growth, Rewoldt’s StoptheTires2020 group has struggled for clarity in its goals. The group called for a work stoppage on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, to protest the policies it believes Biden will implement upon taking office. A second work stoppage is scheduled for Nov. 26-29, which includes the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday, which is the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season. Group members posted photos from the Veterans Day stoppage, some showing trucks parked at truck stops or empty store shelves, reportedly caused by the shutdown. Many posted comments in support of the movement, while others observed that there seemed to be as many trucks on the highways as on any other day. Rewoldt addressed criticism he’s received for scheduling shutdowns to coincide with holidays. “Think about it. A lot of drivers are shutting down for the holiday anyway. That means we get 50% participation in a shutdown, without even asking,” he said. With that many shut down, he said, the group doesn’t need to persuade many of the remaining drivers. “If we can get another 25% to shut down for the cause, that’s 75% of the truckers not running. That’s enough to get attention for our cause,” he continued. Other protest groups, such as the Facebook group The Disrespected Trucker have been in communication with Rewoldt and other leaders of StoptheTires2020, but no agreement has been reached on combining forces at the time of this writing. “I’m not going to take a chance on changing our purpose,” Rewoldt explained. “If another group wants to hold an event in support (of StoptheTires2020), that’s fine, as long as they aren’t blocking highways.” Rewoldt says the group is opposed to actions that impede traffic. “I am 100% against blocking or slowing traffic,” he said. “I think those sorts of actions harm our image in the eyes of the public. It just makes us look worse.” The group also opposes any interference with the shipment of medical supplies. “At this time, with COVID and everything, we can’t risk lives,” Rewoldt noted. Asked what success for his group would look like, Rewoldt had few specifics, stating he didn’t know who he could trust if someone offered a settlement. “My main focus would be for senators to actually contact me,” he said. “If FOX News can get my phone number, so can a senator.” Rewoldt described a scenario in which at least one senator from each state contacted a carrier and arranged to ride along with a driver “so they could see what’s actually going on and take it back to the president and to Congress.” At that point, “I will end the shutdown if senators will contact me,” he stated. Plans for any actions beyond the Thanksgiving weekend shutdown, or whether the group will become “Stop the Tires 2021,” have not yet been finalized. “We’re hoping that we’ll see results from the Thanksgiving weekend stoppage,” Rewoldt said. “We’ll reevaluate then for future plans.” In the meantime, Rewoldt wants anyone interested in the Stop the Tires movement to understand one thing: “This is not about me; it’s not about you. It’s about every hard-working person.” UPDATE: Since this article was published, the group has called canceled the planned work stoppage. Click here to read the story.

Fiery pileup during snowstorm shuts down part of I-94 in Minnesota

The Trucker News Staff - November 12, 2020

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Both directions of Interstate 94 between Rogers and Monticello are closed to all traffic except emergency responders until further notice, according to Nov. 12 tweets by the Minnesota State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Transportation. All lanes, eastbound and westbound, are blocked by multiple vehicle crashes involving both tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles; one tractor-trailer is on fire. The crashes occurred as a snow squall moved through the area this morning (Nov. 12); and the National Weather Service expects the snow to continue this afternoon. Drivers are advised to follow I-94 Alternate Route signs along area highways.

New Love’s adds 82 truck parking spaces to Oregon’s Jefferson County

The Trucker News Staff - November 12, 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops is now serving customers in Madras, Oregon, thanks to a truck stop that opened Nov. 5. The Madras store, located on U.S. 97, adds 46 jobs and 82 truck parking spaces to Jefferson County. “We’re excited to expand our footprint in Oregon and open our sixth location there,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “This location will provide customers a clean and well-stocked and maintained place to stop, before our team members get them back on the road safely and quickly.” This location is open 24/7 and offers many amenities, including: More than 11,000 square feet; Arby’s; 82 truck parking spaces; 61 car parking spaces; Four RV parking spaces; Six diesel bays; Five showers; Laundry facilities; Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee; Brand-name snacks; Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics; CAT scale; and Dog park. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will donate $2,000 to the Jefferson County Faith Based Network; the organization plans to use the funds for its cold-weather shelter.

Wildfire recovery efforts in Oregon mean extended road restrictions for commercial, passenger vehicles

The Trucker News Staff - November 12, 2020

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) issued a reminder this week to commercial freight haulers, as well as drivers of passenger vehicles, that restrictions continue to apply to some areas where wildfire recovery efforts are expected to continue into 2021. Impacted highways with active work zones currently include the following: Oregon State Highway 22 through the Santiam Canyon between Gates (milepost 33) and Pamelia Creek Road (milepost 63): Speed limit is reduced to 40 mph in this area. Through traffic for passenger vehicles and trucks is allowed in the work zones. Oregon State Highway 126 between Vida (milepost 28) and Finn Rock (milepost 38): Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph in this area. Truck through traffic is not allowed other than local deliveries or fire-recovery related transports. Passenger vehicle through traffic is allowed in the work zones. Oregon State Highway 224 between mileposts 31 and 49: Road is closed to all traffic. Only fire-recovery-related traffic is allowed on this highway section due to hazard trees and multiple work zones. This route connects on the east end to Forest Service Road 46, which is also closed. All travelers need to obey posted speed limits and use extreme caution while traveling through the burn-area work zones. Due to clean-up operations, travelers who do not need to use these highways are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible. Expect multiple work zones with delays of up to 20 minutes per work site; total corridor delays could be more than an hour. Crews are cutting and removing hazard trees, repairing utilities and the roadway, and removing hundreds of truckloads of debris. Expect to encounter extra trucks, trailers, heavy equipment, etc. on these routes. In addition to the ongoing work zones, hazards to travelers include damaged and missing guardrails, roadside log decks and slash piles from hazard tree removal, as well as the potential for erosion and falling rocks. With fall and winter rains, there is a greater risk of slides and debris flows, especially in areas where the vegetation, tree roots and underbrush have been burned away. For commercial freight wildfire info, click here. ODOT advises drivers to refer to www.TripCheck.com for current highway conditions.

Spireon provides real-time tracking of U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree’s trek from Colorado to Washington

The Trucker News Staff - November 12, 2020

IRVINE, Calif. — There’s no need to wait until Christmas Eve — or even Thanksgiving — to track a holiday icon’s journey across the U.S. Spireon has launched real-time tracking of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree as it makes its way from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National (GMUG) forests in Colorado to Washington, D.C. For the past 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided a tree, popularly known as the “People’s Christmas Tree,” from a select national forest to appear on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building during the holiday season. In partnership with the national nonprofit Choose Outdoors and Colorado Tourism, the tree can now be tracked with Spireon’s FleetLocate trailer-management solution at www.capitoltreetracker.com. “We are happy to see the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree off for another remarkable journey across our great country,” said Roni Taylor, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Spireon, “In an unprecedented year, we look forward to following the trip online and wish the entire team a safe trip.” Harvested Nov. 6 from the Uncompahgre Plateau on the Ouray Ranger District, the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is an Engelmann Spruce that stands 55 feet tall and is 25 feet wide. The massive spruce has been loaded onto a specialty trailer equipped with Spireon’s FL Flex trailer telematics solution that will allow the public to follow its journey. Between Nov. 10 and Nov. 20, the tree will make tour stops at several communities for a series of socially-distanced outdoor festivities held at fair grounds, schools, main streets, visitor centers, convention centers and retailers. In early December, the tree will be lit on the West Lawn during an official ceremony. “This holiday season is unlike any other, and it’s our strong partnerships that allow us to carry on this long-standing tradition,” said Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. “We are grateful for Spireon’s continued support and dedication to this project.” For news, events and tour information, click here.

Fiery crash closes bridge linking Ohio, Kentucky for extended period

The Associated Press - November 11, 2020

CINCINNATI — A fiery crash on a bridge linking Ohio and Kentucky could force the span to remain closed for days as intense heat from the blaze delayed inspections of the bridge that serves as a crucial link for interstate commerce, Kentucky’s governor said Nov. 11. Closure of the Brent Spence Bridge caused detours along a major transportation artery connecting downtown Cincinnati with northern Kentucky across the Ohio River. “The bridge, at best, will be closed several days,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a virtual briefing. “But we ought to be prepared for more disruption, potentially significantly more disruption, than that.” The fire was contained, but the extreme heat made the bridge too hot for bridge inspectors, Beshear said. Damage to the bridge and its concrete decking was visible, he said. The governor warned that a closure lasting several days could be “optimistic.” “We won’t have the details until those inspectors are there, but this is a serious accident and it is not outside the realm of possibility that we are looking at weeks,” Beshear said. The crash occurred around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The governor said the crash appeared to be caused when a northbound truck jackknifed on the bridge and was struck by another truck hauling potassium hydroxide. No injuries were reported. The crash sparked the fire, with 400 gallons of diesel fuel being the main cause, officials said. An undetermined amount of diesel fuel spilled and burned in the fire. Officials said the potassium hydroxide contributed to the heat and duration of the fire, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The closure of the bridge caused detours for motorists, and Beshear asked for patience during the inspection and repairs. Kentucky and Ohio officials said they’re committed to getting the bridge repaired and reopened as quickly as possible. Kentucky transportation officials say the bridge carries about 160,000 vehicles a day. “The Brent Spence Bridge is a vital component of our national highway system,” said Jack Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation. “A closure of any length will have a huge impact on the people who live and work in this region.” Ohio and Kentucky officials are working with federal transportation officials “to keep people and goods moving,” Marchbanks said. Officials stressed that safety will be paramount when doing the inspection and repairs. “We’re going to make sure it’s safe for our personnel to go on to inspect,” Beshear said. “But then … when we reopen it, it’s going to be at a time when I would drive my family across it, so that our citizens can have confidence that it’s safe.”

New York State conducting enforcement, education blitz to prevent low-bridge strikes by trucks

The Trucker News Staff - November 11, 2020

ALBANY, N.Y. — A collaborative effort between the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, which began Nov. 9 and continues through Nov. 15, aims to help prevent commercial trucks from striking low bridges. According to a release from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, New York State averages about 220 bridge strikes per year, resulting in the potential for injury for the truck driver and nearby motorists, costly repairs to the bridge itself, and substantial traffic disruptions. There have been more than 1,100 bridge strikes on New York roadways since 2015. As part of the enforcement effort, state troopers will focus active patrols in areas where there have been documented bridge strikes by large commercial vehicles. These bridge strikes are most likely to occur on roadways with low railroad bridges and on New York State parkways. Commercial trucks are banned on parkways, but operators guided by consumer-grade GPS devices can end up on parkways — and when that occurs, a bridge strike is inevitable, according to the release. Because consumer GPS devices do not include information about low bridges, truck drivers are required to use commercial-grade GPS systems that provide details about low bridges and restricted routes. In addition to increased enforcement, a tip card and other materials have been developed to educate drivers — especially drivers of box trucks and other commercial vehicles — about the hazards of low bridges and how to avoid them. The educational materials will be available to the public at highway rest areas, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles offices and truck-rental facilities. The educational materials warn operators of commercial vehicles that they are prohibited from New York State parkways because of low bridges; stress the need to be aware of signs and pavement markings; and urge the use commercial GPS systems that account for height restrictions. “Bridge strikes continue to be a problem across the state, endangering the safety of motorists, disputing traffic and causing damage,” said Keith Corlett, New York State Police superintendent. “These targeted patrols are part of an effort with our partners at DOT and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to raise awareness about this issue and reduce and eventually eliminate bridge strikes statewide.” Since 2013, NYSDOT has participated in a regional Bridge Strike Task Force in the Hudson Valley. Because of this multi-agency effort, NYSDOT added new signage and pavement markings along the Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, Cross County and Sprain Brook parkways and ramp entrances. Over-height vehicle detection systems have been installed at multiple locations across the state. ` New fines and penalties for those driving commercial vehicles on New York State parkways went into effect Sept. 3, 2020. Penalties for commercial vehicles on parkways are broken down by weight class, and there are also penalties for over-height vehicles. The maximum fines and penalties are as follows: Less than 10,000 pounds: First violation: $250 and/or 15 days in jail. Second violation within 18 months: $500 and/or 45 days in jail. Third or subsequent violation within 18 months: $750 and/or 90 days in jail. Between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds: First violation: $350 and/or 15 days in jail. Second violation within 18 months: $700 and/or 45 days in jail. Third or subsequent violation within 18 months: $1,000 and/or 90 days. Over 26,000 pounds: First violation: $700 and/or 15 days in jail. Second violation within 18 months: $1,500 and/or 45 days in jail. Third or subsequent violation within 18 months: $2,000 and/or 90 days in jail. Over-height vehicles: First offense: $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail. Second or subsequent offense: $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail. The enforcement and education blitz coincides with the completion of a $3.8 million bridge replacement project of the Old State Road Bridge over the NYS Thruway (I-90) in Albany County. The project, which began in March, was completed within budget and a month ahead of schedule. Since 2016, the Thruway Authority’s capital program has supported the replacement or rehabilitation of 133 bridges across its 570-mile system. “While maintaining strong, safe transportation infrastructure is critical for keeping our roadways safe, it’s also an important piece in growing local economies, and this is why New York has made the strengthening of bridges and roadways a top priority,” Cuomo said. “Not only does the new Old State Road Bridge improve the safety and reliability of the Thruway, but by increasing its clearance, we are helping prevent troublesome traffic delays which impact travel and commerce. When you combine this progress along with our new enforcement and education initiative, New York is taking a proactive approach towards improving safety for all those who travel our roads.” The new overpass bridge, located between Exit 24 (Albany – I-87) and Exit 25 (Schenectady – I-890), had been subject to numerous over-height truck hits during the past several years, causing traffic disruptions on the Thruway mainline. The new bridge height will prevent similar incidents in the future with an increased clearance of 16 feet, 6 inches for traffic traveling on the NYS Thruway (I-90). The bridge was constructed using 260,000 pounds of American-made structural steel, and its new driving surface and approaches were constructed using 1,000 cubic yards of concrete, as well as 1,000 tons of asphalt. To further strengthen safety, wider travel lanes and shoulders, as well as new safety guiderails, were implemented.

Fast-growing grassroots truckers’ group calls for Veterans Day strike

Cliff Abbott - November 10, 2020

While the results of the Nov. 3 presidential election are being contested and litigated, another protest has gained momentum. The private Facebook group “Stop the Tires 2020” is calling for a national trucker shutdown on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. to protest what it understands to be the policies of presumptive president-elect Joe Biden and his administration. The Facebook page, created Nov. 6, has grown rapidly as news of the strike spread. Current membership is at nearly 39,000 members, and the group continues to grow. Creator of the group, Jeremy Rewoldt said in a Nov. 7 post, “We will not participate in the leftist, Biden/Harris Green New Deal.” He added, “We do not support the banning of fracking.” Rewoldt also stated, “The United States of America operates as a capitalistic economy and OIL is the fuel she survives on.” Although both Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have called for a complete ban on the practice of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracking,” Biden backed away from those comments in the waning days of the election. At the second and final presidential debate, Biden said his plan was to transition the country away from petroleum products. He said, “I was talking about stopping fracking as soon as we can,” adding, “no more new fracking.” Biden also declined to support the Green New Deal, which proposed actions designed to move the country to renewable sources only for its energy needs. He has repeatedly stated, “Climate change is the number one issue facing humanity,” and pledged to work towards solving the issue. Critics have claimed that Biden changed his verbiage on fracking and the Green New Deal in order to appear more moderate to voters when he, in fact, fully supports both. On Nov. 10, Cara Carroll posted to the group that she and Jeremy Rewoldt are “the face of the movement,” and both are “co-creators” of and “partners” in the Stop the Tires 2020 group. Carroll claimed that a purpose of the movement is “to protect 19 million jobs.” A statement released by the Trump campaign Aug. 31 claimed that Biden’s clean-energy plan would cause the loss of 10.3 million jobs in the petroleum industry. That figure was taken from a study by the American Petroleum Institute that estimated the economic impact of the entire petroleum industry, including vendors and investors, at 10.3 million jobs. Biden has claimed his plan would create new jobs in the field of renewable energy, which would replace those lost in petroleum. In the post, Carroll also clarified the group’s political leanings, saying, “Let us make this extremely clear: While we are a huge group of Republicans and conservatives, our focus in this movement is our blue-collar workers of America.” She added, “We are extremely grateful for what Donald Trump has done for the American people.” Rewoldt’s post also mentioned that government leaders must “respect that blue-collar truck drivers are having to face domestic terrorism, primarily in Democrat-run cities all over the United States…” He called for a second work stoppage — this one over the four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend that includes Black Friday, traditionally the start of the Christmas shopping season — if the Veterans Day stoppage is “not effective.” A key difference between the call for a work stoppage and past labor actions in trucking is that no protests that include truck convoys slowing traffic or other active acts of protest are being called for. Discussion on the Stop the Tires 2020 Facebook page has included a number of suggested actions, including a Washington D.C. protest, but the only action called for by event organizers for truckers to simply shut down. The movement attracted the attention of several large media sources Monday, Nov. 9, including Fox News, which ran the story on its website and in its programming. The Stop the Tires 2020 group has also used the social media platform TikTok to publish videos of Rewoldt, Carroll and others discussing the strike. Posts on the Facebook page are generally positive, with a number of owner-operators posting photos of their trucks and pledging to support the strike. The timing of the first stoppage is part of the group’s plan. Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and organizers hope to draw additional attention by staging the protests on or near national holidays. The second planned strike would begin Thanksgiving Day; further protests have not been announced. Those in the trucking profession are accustomed to hearing about potential strikes and other actions. Usually, protests deal with restrictive regulations, freight rates or fuel prices. This action differs in that it seems to be entirely based on politics and what organizers predict will become policy once a new administration is inaugurated. While the impact of the proposed stoppage can’t be predicted, the practice of truckers banding together in protest is sure to continue. UPDATE: Since this article was published, the group has called canceled the planned work stoppage. Click here to read the story.

Work on more than 200 road projects advanced during Minnesota’s 2020 construction season

The Trucker News Staff - November 10, 2020

PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) advanced or completed more than 200 road and bridge projects during the 2020 construction season, the agency reported Nov. 6. An additional 36 projects enhanced safety at railroad crossings, and 15 projects extended or repaired runways or other infrastructure at local airports. “Minnesota’s 2020 construction program represented a broad mix of projects that improved all modes of transportation and provided jobs throughout the state during a challenging year,” said Jay Hietpas, MnDOT assistant commissioner of operations. “While COVID-19 created challenges in some areas, the reduced traffic volumes we saw early in the season helped in some cases to minimize disruptions to travelers. We want to thank everyone in both the private and public sectors who helped make this season a success, and worked diligently to keep projects on track.” Notable projects completed in 2020 include the Highway 5 “Around the Airport” construction near MSP International Airport; the new Highway 63 bridge in Red Wing; concrete resurfacing and safety improvements along 18 miles of Highway 23 between Cottonwood and Granite Falls; and reconstruction of five miles of Highway 210 west of Fergus Falls. In addition, two important multi-year projects that began in 2020 include the Twin Ports Interchange in Duluth, and improvements to Interstate 94 between Maple Grove and Clearwater. In addition, the new Highway 72 Baudette/Rainy River International Bridge was completed in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation; off-roadway work will continue in 2021. For a complete list of MnDOT construction projects and their status, click here.

Travel alert: Stretch of I-70 closed in Colorado after tractor-trailer accident

The Trucker News Staff - November 9, 2020

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. — Interstate 70 is closed in both directions for approximately 9 miles between Silverthorne, Colorado (exit 205) and just east of the Eisenhower Tunnel (mile post 215) because of a commercial vehicle crash, according to a tweet posted Nov. 9 by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Travelers should plan for delays as crews work to clear the crash.

Illinois Love’s now offers Middle Eastern dining option

The Trucker News Staff - November 9, 2020

GREENUP, Ill. — Love’s Travel Stops has introduced a new food concept for customers at the Greenup, Illinois, location with the opening of the first Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. The restaurant, which opened Nov. 2, offers a variety of handmade Middle Eastern food choices. “Our customers love options, especially when it comes to food, so we’re excited to debut Naf Naf,” said Joe Cotton, vice president of restaurant services for Love’s. “We want to give our customers a variety of fresh, delicious and quick options when it comes to dining and Naf Naf is the perfect fit.” Naf Naf offers bold flavor options such as pillowy pita, savory chicken shawarma, hummus, crispy falafel and more. Love’s plans to open an additional 10 Naf Naf locations in the next five years.

Arizona’s dust detection and warning system performed well during inaugural ‘monsoon’ season

The Trucker News Staff - November 9, 2020

PHOENIX — With its first monsoon season under its belt, data shows that the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) dust-detection and warning system works as designed, the agency reported Nov. 4. Monsoon 2020, however, was not the most robust weather event, jokingly dubbed a “nonsoon,” the statement continued. “It was a mixed blessing,” said David Locher, resident engineer for the project. “Less dust storms is obviously a good thing when it comes to driving conditions; however, we didn’t have the normal weather events that would have been ideal for data gathering in our first season.” During this year’s monsoon season, there was one 20-minute event that provided measurable data. At one point during the storm, visibility dropped to less than 300 feet, triggering the speed limit to incrementally drop to 35 mph. How did drivers react to the warning system? Loop detectors showed the average vehicle was driving about 45 mph, a big drop from the normal 75 mph limit. “We do know that the system is working — it is doing what it’s supposed to,” said Kevin Duby, Arizona’s statewide road weather manager. “Our next step is to take the data we have to evaluate and determine the efficiencies of the system to improve performance.” Dust storms between Tucson and Phoenix have been a safety concern for several years. A study continued between 2010 and 2015 detailed how traffic was impacted along the Interstate 10 corridor, showing 83 dust-related crashes; more than half of those crashes occurred within about a half-mile of each other. The study identified a 10-mile area between mileposts 209 and 219 as the focus of safety efforts. In 2016, ADOT, along with Arizona Department of Public Safety and National Weather Service staff, vendors and contractors, began working to create a system to help Arizona drivers be better equipped to deal with dust storms. A Federal Highway Administration grant was secured to help fund the $72 million project, which also included widening I-10 and making improvements to the State Route 87 traffic interchange. The dust-detection technology employs overhead message boards, variable speed-limit signs, closed-circuit cameras and short-range sensor units that detect that detect blowing dust. The system also includes a long-range weather X-Band radar dish, mounted atop a 22-foot pole at the State Route 87 interchange; this unit can detect storms more than 40 miles away. X-Band, which picks up a frequency range from 8 to 12 gigahertz, is most often used for civil, military and government radar applications such as weather monitoring, air-traffic control, maritime vessel traffic control, defense tracking and vehicle speed detection for law enforcement. The lower frequencies make this band suitable for the harshest weather conditions, providing exceptionally high link availability for weather-monitoring radar solutions, ADOT noted. Despite not experiencing many significant storms during its inaugural season, the first-of-its-kind dust-detection and warning system received regional recognition in the 2020 America’s Transportation Awards. In addition, the National Weather Service named ADOT as a 2020 Weather Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence for its goal of protecting life and property through proactive public outreach and hazard mitigation efforts; the award specifically cited the dust detection system.

CBP, local police rescue illegal immigrants from locked tractor-trailer in Laredo, Texas

The Trucker News Staff - November 9, 2020

LAREDO, Texas — Agents with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Laredo North Station, in cooperation with the Laredo Police Department, rescued “numerous” illegal immigrants who were locked in a parked tractor-trailer on Friday, Nov. 6. Shortly after midnight, CBP received a call from the local police department, requesting assistance in investigating an abandoned tractor-trailer parked in front of a business near Mines Road in Laredo. According to a CBP statement, as local police approached the tractor-trailer, they heard noises coming from the trailer. Officers broke the seal of the locked door of the trailer and discovered “numerous” people inside who had no means of escape. Law-enforcement personnel helped the people out of the trailer, and CBP agents distributed personal protective equipment to all individuals; subsequent medical screenings found all individuals to be in good health. All of the rescued individuals were determined to be illegally in the United States from the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. CBP took them into custody and seized the tractor-trailer. While CBP did not specify how many immigrants were trapped in the trailer, local news sources cited the number as 67. “Strong partnerships between law-enforcement agencies keeps our community safe and saves lives. I commend these Laredo Police Department officers for their quick response and diligence in locating this vehicle and helping stop another dangerous human smuggling case,” said Matthew Hudak, chief patrol agent for CBP’s Laredo Sector.

Nevada trucking firm gets COVID-19 fine for Trump Jr. rally

The Associated Press - November 6, 2020

RENO, Nev. — State regulators have fined a trucking firm in Sparks more than $4,500 for violating coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings during a political rally last month with Donald Trump Jr. that drew more than 50 people. The Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations announced the OSHA enforcement action Thursday against the JBP Corp. doing business as Peterbilt Truck Parts & Equipment. The $4,554 fine cited the failure to submit a safety plan and obtain state approval for an event in excess of 50 people. The department also announced earlier this week it was fining the Aria Resort & Casino $12,617 in Las Vegas and the Eureka Owl Club in Eureka $2,950 for COVID-19 violations. The Aria’s owner, MGM Resorts, said it intended to challenge the citation alleging a lack of social distancing at point-of-sale terminals used by employees. The state said the Eureka Owl Club was fined for the failure of employees to properly wear face coverings. Last month, the state fined Douglas County $2,950 and Minden Airport manager ABS Aviation $2,603 for hosting a rally for President Trump that drew thousands. The city of Henderson also fined the owner of an equipment rental firm that hosted a Trump rally indoors.

Capitol Christmas Tree-cutting ceremony set for 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time Nov. 5

The Trucker News Staff - November 5, 2020

DELTA, Colo. — The 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, popularly known as “The People’s Christmas Tree,” is scheduled to be harvested in Colorado at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time today (Thursday, Nov. 5). The virtual tree-cutting ceremony will take place within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests and will include brief remarks by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service leadership, local elected officials and project partners. This year’s tree is a 55-foot-tall Engelmann Spruce. A livestream of the ceremony and cutting will be available on the GMUG National Forests Facebook page. After harvesting, the tree will be placed on a trailer before being transported from the forest by a Kenworth T680. The Kenworth is adorned with a stunning exterior graphics design that features a decorated Christmas tree and the U.S. Capitol Building, along with 14,023-foot-Wilson Peak in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest and the phrase, “From colorful Colorado to America’s front steps.” This year’s logo, placed on the T680 roof, incorporates the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree theme, “Experience Your Nature,” plus names of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests in western Colorado, and the Colorado state flag. Apex Transportation of Henderson, Colorado, will use the Kenworth T680 to transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Colorado tree-cutting ceremony to Washington, D.C. The nearly 2,000-mile journey will include a series of outdoor community celebrations, primarily within the state of Colorado, with another stop in Asheville, North Carolina before reaching the White House. The T680 will be driven by Theron Schmalzried and William “Butch” Hanna of Apex Transportation. Schmalzried and Hanna have 42 years and 41 years, respectively, of truck-driving experience. Schmalzried has spent 23 years with Apex Transportation, while and Hanna has driven for the company for 17 years. The tree will arrive in the U.S. Capitol Nov. 20, decorated by handmade ornaments specially created by Coloradans, and will be lit on the White House’s West Lawn in early December. This year’s tour schedule includes the following stops: 10: San Miguel County Fairgrounds (Norwood, Colorado) and Montrose Visitor Center (Montrose, Colorado); 11: Ouray County Courthouse (Ouray, Colorado) and Grand Junction Convention Center (Grand Junction, Colorado); 12: Downtown Paonia, Colorado, and Gunnison Community School (Gunnison, Colorado); 13: Salida High School (Salida, Colorado); 14: Bass Pro Shops (Denver, Colorado); 15: Kit Carson County Fairgrounds (Burlington, Colorado); 17: Asheville Outlets (Asheville, North Carolina); and 20: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, D.C.). For more information, visit the 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website.