The Nation

WASHINGTON — In a notice published Aug. 19 in the Federal Register, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requests public comments on rulemaking regarding broker transparency. The comment period ends Oct. 19. The action comes after the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Small Business Transportation Coalition (SBTC) submitted petitions to amend certain requirements for property brokers. In May, OOIDA asked FMCSA to require that property brokers to automatically provide an electronic copy of each transaction record within 48 hours of the completion of a contracted service. OODIA also asked that brokers be prohibited from including contract provisions requiring motor carriers to waive their rights to access transaction records. SBTC requested brokers be prohibited from requiring carriers waive their rights to transaction records as a condition for doing business. In addition, SBTC asked that FMCSA bar brokers from including in their contract agreements stipulations or clauses that exempt them from compliance with the transparency requirement. Click here to view the notice and submit comments online or to find instructions for other methods of comment submission.

BROKEN BOW, Neb. — An Elmwood, Nebraska, man has pleaded no contest to stealing from the Custer County trucking company where he had worked. Raymond Wolcott, 34, entered the plea to felony theft and was found guilty earlier this month, the Kearney Hub reported. Prosecutors said Wolcott forged Johnson Trucking checks and deposited more than $6,300 into his personal checking account between May and August 2018. Wolcott was originally charged with felony theft of more than $5,000, but the charge was reduced in exchange for his no contest plea, in which the defendant doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence to win a conviction. Wolcott faces up to two years in prison when he’s sentenced Sept. 10. He is currently free on $1,500 cash bond.

GROVE CITY, Ohio — As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the demand for aid from local food pantries is rising. The gift of a trailer refrigeration unit from Carrier Transicold is helping the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, the anchor of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, deliver fresh food to a widening base of people in need throughout the 20-county region that it serves. Given as part of Carrier’s continuing support of food banks in the Feeding America network, an X4 Series Model 7300 refrigeration unit was installed on a 53-foot-long trailer by Williams Carrier Transicold of Columbus, Ohio. “The support of Carrier Transicold moves us one step closer to realizing our vision of a hunger-free and healthier community,” said Matt Habash, president and CEO of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “Today, more than 50% of the food we distribute is fresh — fruits and vegetables, bread, eggs, meat and dairy,” he noted. “Our refrigerated trucks and trailers help us deliver it to our partners for distribution within two days of arrival, helping to preserve its nutritional quality.” Now in its 40th year of operation, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank typically distributes more than 66.5 million pounds of food annually, providing enough food for more than 150,000 meals daily and serving nearly 600,000 people annually across central and eastern Ohio. Those numbers have significantly increased this year due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Helping the Mid-Ohio Food Collective through this unit installation was a privilege for our Columbus service team,” said Nick Gutbrod, sales manager for Williams Carrier Transicold of Columbus. “By supporting the food bank, we are helping Ohio neighbors who are urgently in need.” Since 2017, Carrier Transicold has contributed $600,000 in support of Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks, with Carrier Transicold’s nationwide dealer network providing installation and service support. According to Feeding America, every dollar contributed provides for at least 10 meals, equating to 6 million meals that will have been donated since the inception of Carrier Transicold’s social outreach program. Carrier’s contributions have funded 32 truck and trailer refrigeration units for food banks serving 18 states, with more to come.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma highway bridge conditions are “making the grade” by moving from among the worst in the nation to the head of the class, achieving Top 10 status for the first time by ranking ninth this year, according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FWA). The state ranked as low as 49th place in 2004 in national bridge-condition rankings due to the number of structurally deficient bridges on the state highway system. At that time, nearly 1,200 of Oklahoma’s 6,800 highway bridges needed major rehabilitation or replacement. “‘Top 10’ isn’t just a slogan. It is the vision that helps form and guide our road map to improving state government and changing the future of all 4 million Oklahomans for the better,” said Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. “Transportation is the backbone of the economy, and this designation shows Oklahoma is a new national leader in highway bridge infrastructure thanks to the dedication of ODOT employees and an unprecedented investment in our bridges by the Legislature.” In 2005, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) embarked on a massive effort to improve highway bridges after decades of underfunding to transportation infrastructure took a toll, causing a backlog of critically needed projects. A targeted approach to fixing the state’s bridges began taking shape through a series of legislative funding mechanisms and identifying key funding opportunities by the congressional delegation. The rehabilitation effort took an even more aggressive approach in 2011, when the state’s Bridge Improvement and Turnpike Modernization Plan was announced. One of the goals of the plan was to specifically reduce the structurally deficient highway bridges to 1% and have a manageable bridge system by the end of the decade. “This overhaul on our highway bridges took more than 15 years and has only been possible thanks to the consistent vision and support of our governors, legislators and congressional delegates,” said Tim Gatz, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Transportation. “We also have to thank Oklahomans for making transportation a priority. With significant citizen support, this issue rose to the top of state needs. This unprecedented program was only possible with a united focus on Oklahoma’s future.” Today, only 86 highway bridges are now considered as structurally deficient, based on bridge inspection data submitted to the FHWA by states for its 2019 report — and each of those remaining bridges is already scheduled for improvements through ODOT’s eight-year construction plan. Off-system bridges on city streets or county roads are separately maintained by local governments, and account for an additional 16,000 structures statewide that have their own critical needs and funding challenges. National studies often combine the highway and off-system bridges into one lump overview. Oklahoma’s current Top 10 ranking is for bridges within the state highway system. ODOT will diligently look for ways to continue to address older bridges through consistent planning and preservation efforts to ensure that Oklahoma maintains its Top 10 bridge condition status, Gatz said. For more information about upcoming bridge and pavement projects, visit the ODOT website.

AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Transportation released a long-range plan for the state’s rest area system earlier this week. Under the plan, 30 of the 38 existing full-service rest areas will remain open; the remaining eight will be closed at “the end of their usable life,” according to IDOT. Twelve of the 30 full-service areas will be upgraded by 2033. Ten smaller parking-only rest areas are also slated for closure in the future; upgrades and expansion of truck parking is planned for the remaining six parking-only sites. In addition, IDOT is planning to add 247 truck parking spaces throughout the system. Under the plan, all 10 parking only rest area site closures and seven of the eight full-service closures will occur before 2028, when the facilities reach the end of their useful life. “We are committed to serving as good stewards for the state by continuing to invest taxpayer dollars to develop and maintain the statewide transportation system that best meets user needs,” read an Aug. 12 statement from IDOT. “The decision to close an existing rest area facility is carefully considered and is informed by the Code of Federal Regulation (23 CFR 752).” The process of determining the long-range plan for the state’s rest area system began in 2012 when, according to IDOT, the time came to re-evaluate the needs of rest areas in enhancing a modern transportation system balanced with the need for investment in these facilities. The criticality of each rest area was systematically evaluated, and aging and least critical sites were recommended for closure, allowing available funding to be used for upgrades at more critical and strategically located rest areas sites. As of 2012, several of the state’s rest areas had reached an age of 50 years or older and required considerable expense to replace. The process has moved through several phases that included a study and documentation of customer needs and satisfaction with existing rest areas, two public input periods and an initial implementation strategy for the rest area system. “Following the release of the initial implementation strategy, we heard significant feedback, especially regarding the need for increased truck parking along the transportation system,” IDOT’s statement noted. “This allowed us to re-evaluate the implementation strategy and coordinate our plans with a freight truck parking study which assessed the current system’s truck parking needs. This study documented the need to add additional truck parking which is reflected as part of the final rest area plan.”

PHOENIX — PrePass Safety Alliance now offers PrePass-approved carriers even more opportunities to safe time, money and fuel with the addition of 36 pre-clearance and bypass locations in four states. In the past six months, PrePass Safety Alliance equipped an additional 30 agricultural inspection sites and four weigh stations in Texas, Louisiana, and Montana that are now eligible for pre-clearance and bypass services. In addition, PrePass Safety Alliance partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to offer PrePass Ag. This service allows commercial carriers that do not haul dedicated agricultural cargo to bypass select agricultural inspection stations in Florida in the same way they can bypass PrePass equipped weigh stations. PrePass Ag is available as a free add-on service to PrePass or PrePass Plus accounts. While there is no charge to apply for a permit to bypass agricultural inspections stations, carriers must still submit an application to FDACS. “Adding these sites helps qualified carriers save time and money while taking an active role in making highways safer,” said Mark Doughty, president and CEO of PrePass Safety Alliance. “We partner with states to choose locations on routes that truckers actually use and provide them with the benefits of both a bypass mobile app (PrePass MOTION) and an RFID transponder.” New PrePass-equipped weigh-station bypass locations include: Louisiana: Starks, State Highway 12, eastbound and westbound; Montana: Wibaux, Interstate 94, westbound; and Texas: Mt. Pleasant, Interstate 30, eastbound and westbound, and Queen City, U.S. Highway 59, eastbound. The new PrePass AG and weigh station sites also offer bypass service using PrePass MOTION mobile application for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, as well as for select telematics devices. PrePass MOTION includes safety alerts; proactive notifications of upcoming road hazards, including high wind areas and steep grades; and roads that prohibit commercial vehicle traffic.

LANSING, Mich. — Work on the Interstate 496 Pave the Way project in Lansing, part of the Rebuilding Michigan program instituted by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, continues, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MDOT). Now that reconstruction on the eastbound side of I-496 has been completed, crews are clearing old, deteriorating pavement on westbound I-496 in Eaton County so a new freeway can take shape. A YouTube video posted by MDOT highlights the work completed so far, as well as all the public benefits produced by the department’s partnership with local road agencies in this area. The project is one of 122 on heavily traveled state highways made possible or put on an accelerated timeline thanks to bond financing approved by the Michigan’s state transportation commission in January. When the bond financing is complete, it will allow the department to advance projects so users can more quickly enjoy the benefits. Bonding for improvements with a significant useful life spreads the project costs to the users over a longer period of time. Rebuilding the I-496 freeway completely will save commuters and commercial haulers countless hours and money lost to delays from ongoing maintenance work, MDOT said. “This freeway has been held together with patches and emergency repairs for too long,” Whitmer said. “This is the first of the Rebuilding Michigan initiative that is rebuilding roads so commuters know they will have a smooth and reliable ride for many decades to come. I look forward to long-term fixes like this across the state over the next few years.” MDOT is investing approximately $60 million to improve I-496 between I-96 and Lansing Road; click here for a map. Work includes rebuilding the freeway and ramps, preventive maintenance on all the bridges in the project area, and making operational improvements to the entrance and exit ramps at the I-96, Creyts Road and Waverly Road interchanges. MDOT states that these improvements will provide increased safety and mobility for the state’s capital city in the area of I-496, connecting the local, national, and international trade corridor. Local road work is also taking place alongside the I-496 project, including Waverly Road reconstruction between Lansing Road and St. Joseph Street, construction of a shared-use path along Waverly Road from Old Lansing Road north to St. Joseph Street, and water main installation at various locations crossing I-496; all of this work is more than halfway complete. MDOT has partnered with the Ingham County Road Commission and other key stakeholders to condense the timeline and expense of the project. For more information about the I-496 project, click here.

AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Finding safe, secure overnight parking can be a constant struggle for over-the-road drivers. US 1 Logistics wants to help. As of Aug. 3, the company is offering overnight parking for commercial trucks in Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Ohio — four cities the company describes as “truck parking crisis” areas. “2020 has changed the way the transportation industry plans travel, and COVID-19 has added another layer stress for an over-the-road driver,” said Paul Luckett, operations manager of US 1 Logistics. “The last few months have added an unanticipated stress of the unknown when planning a trip,” he continued. “The questions now include: ‘Has the state shut down rest areas?’ ‘Are the cities I am driving through experiencing protests and rioting in the streets?’ and lastly, ‘Is COVID-19 spiking in the states I am going to be in and what are the safety requirements?’” US 1 Logistics parking locations offer fenced, gated and lit parking facilities for over-the-road drivers. By using the Truck Parking Reservation mobile-ready website, parking reservations can by drivers, driver managers, dispatchers or owners. In addition, the lots in Louisville and Cincinnati offer monthly parking rates. “These are the first of many yards that we will be implementing using the Truck Parking Reservations on-line system,” Luckett said. “These days, the trucking industry is essential and safe parking lots are essential for over the road drivers.” The Truck Parking Reservations team and US 1 Logistics’ Trucking Advisory Group are committed to finding safe, secure truck parking spaces for the trucking industry while providing a platform that allows property owners the ability to add an “unfound” revenue stream and parking-management tool for their businesses.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field offices at the nation’s southern and northern borders intercept many shipments of illegal drugs and other controlled substances. Many of those smuggling attempts involve the use of tractor-trailers. Following are a few of the drug-smuggling attempts foiled by border patrol agents during the latter part of July and first week of August. More than 3 tons of marijuana worth $1.5 million hidden in truckload of ketchup PHARR, Texas — Agents with the CBP’s Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered 7,645 pounds (3,468 kg) of alleged marijuana concealed within a commercial shipment of ketchup arriving from Mexico. “While drug-smuggling organizations try to be creative in finding ways to conceal their illicit merchandise, CBP officers continue to effectively apply inspection skills and technology to prevent narcotics from crossing our borders,” said Carlos Rodriguez, port director of the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. On July 17, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility encountered a tractor-trailer hauling a manifested commercial shipment of ketchup. Utilizing all available tools and resources, including a canine team, officers discovered that the buckets contained more than ketchup. Officers removed 968 packages of alleged marijuana that were hidden within the buckets and have a street value of $1,529,000. Agents seized the narcotics, along with the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations continues with the investigation. Nearly 3,000 pounds of marijuana masquerading as cement seized at northern border BUFFALO, N.Y. — CBP officers at the Port of Buffalo seized 2,959 pounds of marijuana in a commercial shipment manifested as articles of cement. On July 22, CBP officers assigned to the Peace Bridge encountered a 45-year-old male Canadian citizen driving a commercial tractor-trailer. The driver claimed he was transporting a shipment containing articles of cement. CBP officers referred the truck for further inspection, and upon physical examination of the shipment, 12 wooden pallet boxes were discovered in the trailer that contained multiple vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was determined to be 2,959 pounds with an estimated street value of more than $6 million. The driver was refused entry into the U.S. and returned to Canada pending further investigation. “Since travel restrictions began at the border, we have continued to see criminal organizations attempt to exploit perceived vulnerabilities, especially in the commercial environment,” said Jennifer De La O, port director. “I am extremely proud of our CBP officers who have remained vigilant and enforcement-focused during these unprecedented times. Their selfless efforts have yet again led to an impressive seizure of narcotics, preventing these drugs from entering our communities.” This seizure adds to the already massive increase in drug seizures within the Buffalo Field Office. From Oct. 1, 2019, through July 23, 2020, ports within the Buffalo Field Office, which covers 16 ports of entry throughout New York State, have made more than 1,500 narcotic seizures totaling more than 23,500 pounds. More than 100 pounds of meth valued at nearly $4 million discovered in sound equipment LAREDO, Texas — CBP agents assigned to the Interstate 35 Border Patrol checkpoint stopped an attempt to smuggle narcotics. During the early morning of July 23, agents encountered a tractor trailer at the I-35 Border Patrol checkpoint. During the immigration inspection of the driver, a service canine alerted officials’ attention to the trailer. During a secondary inspection, agents discovered a total of 12 bundles of methamphetamine hidden inside four speakers within the trailer. The 12 bundles had a total weight of 119.49 pounds with an approximate value of $3,824,000. The case was turned over to Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration for investigation. “The diligent work by our agents and their canine partners at the Interstate 35 checkpoint stopped nearly 120 pounds of dangerous drugs from reaching communities within our country and kept $3.8 million in proceeds from reaching criminal organizations. Our commitment to protect our citizens extends well beyond our borders,” said Matthew Hudak, chief patrol agent. CBP agents find meth, fentanyl stowed in duffel bags in rig’s sleeper compartment SAN DIEGO — CBP officers at the Otay Mesa cargo port of entry seized 286 pounds of methamphetamine and 26 pounds of fentanyl hidden in the sleeper cab of a tractor-trailer truck July 23. “Even in the midst of a global pandemic, we continue to see attempts to move hard narcotics across the border and into U.S. communities,” said Pete Flores, CBP’s director of field operations in San Diego. “CBP officers at all of our nation’s legal border crossings remain on the job and vigilant during these unprecedented times.” About 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, a driver arrived at the commercial border crossing with a shipment of recycled cardboard. CBP officers referred the tractor-trailer and driver for a nonintrusive imaging scan and an in-depth examination at the dock. After the imaging scan showed anomalies in the cab of the truck, a CBP officer entered the truck. Inside, the officer lifted the sleeper compartment and found two black duffel bags hidden inside. CBP officers removed 64 cellophane-wrapped packages from inside the bags; 59 of the packages contained methamphetamine and five contained fentanyl. CBP officers seized the narcotics, tractor and trailer. The driver, a 36-year-old Mexican citizen with a valid B1/B2 border-crossing card, was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center to face federal charges. According the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl, which can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin, is extremely dangerous to law enforcement and anyone else who may come into contact with it. As a result, the substance represents an unusual hazard for law enforcement. Separate searches lead to discovery of cocaine, meth hidden in commercial shipments LAREDO, Texas — Agents with the CBP Office of Field Operations at the World Trade Bridge seized hard narcotics with a street value of more than $844,000 in two separate enforcement actions July 30. “Even though anti-terrorism is our primary mission, CBP officers maintain their vigilance to ensure commercial entries are safe and free of contraband,” said Acting Port Director Andrew Douglas, Laredo Port of Entry. The first enforcement action occurred on Thursday, July 30, at the World Trade Bridge when CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a tractor hauling a shipment of zinc sulfate arriving from Mexico. The 2000 Freightliner tractor and shipment were referred for a canine and nonintrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of 20 packages containing 51.8 pounds of alleged cocaine within the trailer. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $399,500. Later that evening, CBP officers encountered an express consignment vehicle arriving from Mexico. The 2013 Kenworth tractor and shipment were referred for a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, resulting in the discovery of one package containing 22.27 pounds of alleged methamphetamine discovered within an express consignment shipment. The contraband is worth $445,329 in street value. Both seizures combined have an estimated street value of $844,829. CBP officers seized one trailer and the total narcotics discovered. The cases were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation. Don’t eat these veggies: Meth valued at $16 million stowed in broccoli truck PHARR, Texas — Officials with the U.S. CBP’s Office of Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility discovered $16,094,000 worth of alleged methamphetamine within a commercial trailer hauling a shipment of fresh broccoli. “This is a substantial amount of hard narcotics that our officers have detected and seized from drug trafficking organizations attempting to smuggle these drugs across our border,” said Carlos Rodriguez, port director of the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “By preventing this drug load from reaching the U.S., CBP advances its border security mission, protecting our citizens and communities.” On Aug. 3, a 51-year-old male Mexican citizen arrived at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility driving a tractor-trailer that contained a commercial shipment of fresh produce. A CBP officer referred the shipment for further inspection, which included a nonintrusive imaging inspection that allowed the officers to discover packages of suspected narcotics concealed within the trailer. The inspection continued into the following day, when ultimately officers removed 1,561 packages of alleged methamphetamine that weighed 804.69 pounds (365 kg). CBP seized narcotics as well as the tractor-trailer and arrested the driver, a Mexican citizen from General Escobedo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations are continuing the investigation.