Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31373
FOR THE RECORD TRUCKING NEWS Weighing In Groups spar over heavier truck bills STAFF REPORTS eamsters General President Jim Hoffa joined Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Rep. James McGovern (D- Mass.), safety advocates and family members of highway accident victims at a press conference on May 3 to en- dorse the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, legislation that would restrict the size and weight of commercial trucks on U.S. highways. SHIPA also would extend the freeze on truck size and weight limits on the interstate system to the National T FYI Real-Time Truck Parking Grants The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $4.48 million to Michigan’s I-94 Truck Parking and Infor- mation Management System and almost $2.05 million to Minnesota’s Comprehensive System for Assessing Truck Parking Availability. Both systems will deliver real- time information on parking availability through intelli- gent transportation systems. NAFTA Surface Trade Rises Surface transportation trade between the United States and Canada and Mexico rose 11.8 percent to $66.5 billion in February from February 2010, according to the Bureau of Transporta- tion Statistics of the U.S. Department of Transporta- tion. U.S.-Canada surface transportation trade totaled $40 billion in February, up 10.1 percent from a year earlier. U.S.-Mexico surface transportation trade totaled $26.6 billion in February, up 14.5 percent from a year earlier. Diesel Prices Highest in Almost 3 Years After dipping the previous week, the national average retail price of diesel rose during the week ended 12 TRUCKERS NEWS JUNE 2011 May 2, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Admin- istration. The national average price increased 2.6 cents to $4.124, the high- est since Sep. 1, 2008. All regions gained in price, led by a 3.6-cent jump on the Gulf Coast to $4.06. Central Atlantic rose 3.1 cents to $4.269. California increased 2.7 cents to $4.465, the nation’s highest. Bismarck Bans Truckstop Smoking Bismarck residents voted to extend North Dakota’s smoking ban to truckstops, bars and tobacco stores. The state already prohibited indoor smoking in busi- nesses and public places, but had allowed exemp- tions for certain business categories. Class 8 Truck Orders Surge Preliminary Class 8 truck net orders for North American markets climbed to 38,200 units in April, a 158 percent increase from a year earlier, according to ACT Research Co. Net orders represented the largest monthly order intake since March 2006, ACT said. Preliminary net order numbers are subject to revision. Highway System. The bill’s supporters, which include the Association of American Railroads, argue that large trucks are more dangerous to drive and damage highways and bridges, and that heavier trucks only will accelerate the wear and tear of the nation’s aging infrastructure. “Heavier and longer trucks mean greater stopping distances and shorter reaction times,” Hoffa said. “And the reality is that our highways and bridges are not equipped to handle the increased weight and size of these trucks.” The Teamsters point to a recent nationwide poll that found that 89 percent of the general public strongly op- poses larger trucks. The union also notes that half of the continued on page 78 NEWS BRIEFS Manufacturing Continues Growth Manufacturing sector eco- nomic activity expanded in April for the 21st consecu- tive month, and the overall economy grew for the 23rd consecutive month, accord- ing to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Manu- facturing ISM Report on Business released May 2. Willie’s Place Now a Petro TravelCenters of America has reopened the former Willie’s Place truckstop in Carl’s Corner, Texas, as a Petro Stopping Place continued on page 77 LARRY WALTON