IMC-brokered highway shipment revenue in December 2012 averaged $1,500 per load, $12 or 0.8 percent below the November yield and $25 or 1.6 percent below the December 2011 yield.
Showing posts with label Highway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highway. Show all posts
Monday, 8 April 2013
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Obama Signs Highway Bill Into Law
President Obama signed the federal highway bill into law at the White House Friday afternoon, which will fund transportation programs through September 2014, C-Span reported.
The transportation bill approved last Friday by Congress allows more than $100 billion to be spent on highway, mass transit and other transportation programs during the next two years, the Associated Press reported.
Obama had previously signed a temporary measure to carry through the July 4th week, as the previous transportation funding extension expired on June 30.
American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves praised Congress and the President for passing the measure into law.
The highway law “advances the cause of highway safety and will ultimately be seen as a springboard to even more robust transportation funding in the future,” Graves said in a statement.
ATA had previously praised the law’s provisions affecting the trucking industry.
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Alberta to beef up police presence on Highway 63
EDMONTON, Alta. -- Drivers on the busy Highway 63 truck corridor will see more enforcement and more visual reminders to drive safely as the government moves to address recommendations stemming from a report to improve safety on the road.
The Alberta government has started implementing key safety recommendations regarding increased enforcement and enhanced driver education contained in “Towards a Safer 63,” the report by Mike Allen, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA.
Allen, who is the Special Advisor on Highway 63, and Transportation Minister Ric McIver released the report June 29.
“Our commitment to Albertans’ safety is unwavering. As part of our ongoing actions to make this highway safer for everyone, I asked the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General to increase the number of fulltime integrated enforcement officers on Highway 63 beginning immediately,” said Alberta Premier Alison Redford. “We are committed to ensuring our highways are safe for our families and the men and women who travel our roads transporting goods daily.”
Two additional officers will be patrolling the highway by the August long weekend, with another two added by the end of August. Another 12 officers will be added over the coming months, with all 16 expected to be in place by early 2013.
Recently, the province has held two enforcement blitzes, which saw close to 1,000 tickets being issued, and installed additional signage for upcoming passing lanes.
Alberta Transportation is also installing six digital signs to provide instant feedback on drivers’ speed. The location of the digital signs will be moved approximately every week to increase the attentiveness of motorists and allow for inspection and maintenance, with three signs located on the northbound lanes and three on the southbound lanes. Increased billboard and radio campaigns have either started or are planned between now and September that target safe speeds, motorcycle safety, and driver attitudes.
“In addition to the new actions announced today, the Minister of Transportation and his colleagues will come up with realistic recommendations on the preferred and most achievable financial options to accelerate Highway 63 twinning and other infrastructure improvements,” said Premier Redford.
Government also announced on July 17 the tendering of three Highway 63 construction projects ahead of schedule. The projects include new passing/climbing lanes and extensions to existing ones, 27 kilometres of new grading near Wandering River and 55 kilometres of tree clearing between House River and Mariana Lake.
Friday, 3 August 2012
MTA praises provincial commitment to Highway 75 improvements
WINNIPEG, Man. -- The Manitoba Trucking Association has praised the recent announcement from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation that promises road improvements to Highway 75, saying it will have a positive impact on the trucking industry in the province. The improvements include upgrades to the northbound lanes around Morris, a hydraulic study in the Morris area, and upgrades to the southbound lanes hear Emerson, including construction of a dedicated commercial truck lane.
"The MTA has been lobbying the government for a long time for improvements to Highway 75. When that route is shut down – on an almost annual basis – the costs to our industry are enormous, at approximately $1.5 million per week," says Bob Dolyniuk, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association. "Unfortunately, these additional costs are ultimately passed down to the consumer, so any improvements to Highway 75 that prevent it being shut down are beneficial for all Manitobans, not just the trucking industry. As well, the creation of a dedicated truck lane at Emerson will improve the efficient flow of goods across the border, another benefit to the industry and consumers.”
However, while Dolyniuk said that the MTA was happy with the announcement, he noted that there are several other road and infrastructure projects that the group would like to see the province prioritize.
“There has been a lack investment in our road and bridge infrastructure in Manitoba for too long, and the result is crumbling roadways and an inefficient transportation system. The infrastructure deficit that this and previous governments have allowed to happen is a disservice to all Manitobans," Dolyniuk said.
Other areas of improvement that the MTA has identified as being most urgent for the trucking industry include resurfacing of Highway 59, competing the north Perimeter Highway intersection at Highway 59 North, improvements to
Highway 10, major improvements to Highway 6 (including replacement of sub-standard bridges, developing passing lanes, and making blind curves more clearly indicated), and upgrading Highway 16 from Shoal Lake to the Saskatchewan border.
Thursday, 2 August 2012
Fifty-year veteran of the highway named 2012 O/O of the Year
FERGUS, Ont. -- Fifty years on the road without an accident, a history of stopping to help others when needed and a commitment to professionalism have earned Harvey McDonald of Brantford, Ont. the 2012 Truck News Owner/Operator of the Year award.
McDonald was presented with the award July 27 at the Fergus Truck Show.
Through this career, McDonald has owned 12 trucks, yet has committed to never going into debt to fund a new ride, methodically stepping into newer and nicer trucks through his career.
McDonald has been leased to TransX for the past four years and before that, spent 10 years with Transport America. Now, McDonald routinely runs from Ontario to Winnipeg, down into the States and then back to Canada. McDonald has run about four million miles over his career. He refers to his logbook as his ‘Bible’, commits himself to complying with all the rules and regulations and yet won’t hesitate to stop to help others when the opportunity arises.
He recalled coming across a cowgirl near Edmonton who was struggling to round up a herd of cattle that had escaped onto the highway. McDonald rounded up the cows and then remained behind to help rebuild the fence.
McDonald has four adult children and a new bride (he re-married in mid-June) and has in the past volunteered to work through Christmas and other holidays so drivers with young families could remain at home during these occasions. He usually travels with his poodle Micky, who has accompanied him everywhere from Yellowknife, NWT to Laredo, Texas.
The Owner/Operator of the Year Award is sponsored by Castrol, Goodyear and Mack Trucks and supported by the Owner-Operators Business Association of Canada. McDonald won $6,000 cash, a diamond ring and an assortment of other prizes from the sponsors. You can read a complete profile on this year’s winner in the September issues of Truck News and Truck West.
Monday, 2 January 2012
N. Yanke Transfer driver named Highway Angel
SASKATOON, Sask. -- Gyslain 'Juice' Lemelin, a driver for N. Yanke Transfer, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) after he helped save a couple and their belongings from their burning pick-up truck.
Lemelin was driving on the Trans-Canada Highway on Oct. 23 of this year when he passed to motorists in a pick-up, who were travelling with their two dogs and pulling a camper.
As they passed Lemelin, he recognized the burning, chemical-like odour of a burning transmission.
"I had a feeling they weren't going to get very far," said Lemelin, who has had training as a mechanic. "I've smelled that smell before. I knew it was the transmission - transmission fluid is highly flammable."
Lemelin decided to follow the vehicle and soon after, he saw a puff of white smoke and knew they were in trouble. Lemelin pulled up to the vehicle and by then flames had spread all over the pick-up truck's hood. The battery was melting and the ground underneath the truck was on fire.
Lemelin used his fire extinguisher to put out the blaze while the motorists removed their valuables from the camper. He then remained at the scene and let them use his cell phone to call for help.
The motorists later wrote a letter to N. Yanke Transfer, praising Lemelin for his actions.
"Please tell (Lemelin) that random acts of kindness don't go without notice, and we are both grateful that he didn't just drive on by like everyone else," they wrote.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Mica: No Highway Bill Until New Year
Tom Biery/Trans Pixs
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) said this week he will not introduce a highway bill until next year, with the latest extension for transportation spending scheduled to run out March 31.
Mica — who chairs the House Transportation Committee and had planned to introduce his bill by the end of the year — announced the delay during a gathering of transportation experts at the University of Virginia on Tuesday.
He said the House schedule did not allow him enough time to present a bill this month.
Mica spokesman Justin Harclerode said: “Republican leadership and the committee remain committed to moving this important infrastructure jobs bill early next year, likely in January or February.”
Mica assured those at the transportation gathering that lawmakers “could still complete action in the House and move to conference with the Senate on a timely basis,” said John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Enchanted Highway: Follow an American dream
Metal Family - credit Lindsay GodfreePerhaps you have heard of the Enchanted Highway, or maybe you have seen the signs if you have traveled in the “north country” on Interstate Highway I-94. If you are traveling in search of the biggest and BEST roadside attractions in the World, otherwise known as “Giant Animal Roadside Architecture,” take a summer load assignment that will road trip across I-94 in North Dakota.
Colossal creatures tower over the plains entertaining the tourists and setting a few World records in the process. These giants of North Dakota serve to create a unique opportunity to get off the beaten path and do something different. If there is time on your load and you can make the detour, it really is worth seeing.
Drive down the road aptly named “The Enchanted Highway,” a 32 mile stretch of highway off Interstate 94 at Exit #72. The huge metal sculptures consist of 7 extremely large; geese, deer, pheasants, grasshoppers, Teddy Roosevelt, even a complete Tin Family with the newest addition being “The Fisherman’s Dream.”
Fishermans Dream - credit Lindsay GodfreeThe enchantment takes you into the town of Regent and home of Gary Greff, the artist responsible for these awesome creations. There is a gift shop and a place to turn your truck around to get back on route. The day we stopped in Gary himself was behind the register in the gift shop.
Greff says the idea behind the sculptures was to put people in the town of Regent to work together to creature something that would draw people there and save their failing economy. The small towns of America have to get very creative to keep their towns alive. Gary has plans of adding four more giant sculptures to the highway in the upcoming years. Another amazing part about the art is that it is all created with donations of both time and money, so take time to see this inspirational idea.
If you just don’t have time to take the Enchanted Highway route, from highway I-94 you can see the Giant Geese in Flight (I-94 exit 72) marking the entrance to the Enchanted Highway. It stands 110 feet tall is 154 feet in length, weighing 78.8 tons, all made from scrap metal. The largest of the geese is 19 feet in length with a 30 foot wing span. This sculpture is in the Guinness World Book of Records as THE “World’s Largest Scrap Metal Sculpture”.
Buffalo - credit Lindsay GodfreeThe World’s Largest Holstein Cow (I-94 exit 127) is 38 feet high, weighing 12,000 lbs., and made of fiberglass. Perched high on top a hill over looking the city of New Salem, North Dakota, his monstrous cow was built in 1974 as a tribute to the area’s dairy farmers.
Truckers can also get close to The World’s Largest Buffalo (exit 258) which dons a hill included in a Wild West town. (We found a place to park the truck before the entrance with a turn around) Also located there through the town, is the Buffalo Museum and the home of a herd of live buffalo including the legendary white buffalo.
Other giant creatures are reported to live on this highway but so far I can’t report if they are accessible to big rigs of those who live there life on the road.
If you liked that post, then try these...Friday, 29 July 2011
Crazy people cause highway shutdowns on I-70
Traffic jam - credit Lindsay GodfreeHighway shutdowns are always bad for all those people whose travel is affected by the closure. But it is especially bad news for truckers who are stuck in traffic, sent out of route, use up their hours of service or miss their fuel stops when crazies disrupt the interstate traffic like happened this week in Kansas. I am driving on I-70 in Kansas but fortunately for me, was not involved in either of these incidents.
If you missed the news story, authorities had to close a 25-mile stretch of Interstate 70 in Kansas on Wednesday for more than 7 hrs after a man barricaded himself inside his motor home and made threats following a traffic stop made by the Kansas Highway Patrol. He claimed to have a weapon and was going to kill himself. This was the same stretch of highway that was closed Monday due to a hazmat scare.
An officer made the traffic stop around 8 a.m. near Maple Hill about 20 miles west of Topeka Kansas. But the man, believed to be the only occupant, slammed the door of the motor home and “started making threats,” Trooper Mark Engholm of the Highway Patrol said. Report CNN
The same stretch of I-70 was shut down for nine hours on Monday, according to CNN affiliate KSHB, as authorities investigated a possible hazardous materials situation involving a pickup truck.
Investigation continues into incident that closed I-70 for nine hours
A 50-year-old Arkansas man is under arrest in Kansas after a hazardous materials incident prompted the closing of about 20 miles of Interstate 70 west of Topeka. The closing began around 1:15 p.m. Monday, and the Kansas Department of Transportation said it would last through rush hour into the evening.The incident began when dispatchers in Junction City received an anonymous call Monday morning about hazardous materials in a room at a Ramada Inn. The motel was evacuated while fire and hazmat crews investigated. Police issued a description of a suspect and his vehicle, and the Highway Patrol stopped a pickup truck on I-70 west of Topeka. The truck was covered in anti-government slogans.
A 50-year-old Arkansas man is being held on $100,000 bond after being charged with aggravated criminal threat. He is accused of calling 911 Monday morning and saying hazardous materials had been placed in a room at the Ramada Inn in Junction City. Nothing dangerous was found in either the hotel room or the pickup truck. The highway was re-opened around 10:30 p.m. Monday. KWCH-TV
Of course, people who do these things do not think of the consequences of their actions and are danger to themselves and to others. I can’t help but wish there was a way to get restitution from people who cost others so much money and peace of mind.
Thankfully both these incidents were resolved without incident and the unstable people involved are in custody.
For those truckers who were held up in delivering the mail, FedEx packages, refrigerated food in 100 degree heat here in Kansas, and others with important freight that did not arrive on time…I wish there was some compensation for all you suffered. Maybe just knowing that someone else knows what you went through makes it a little easier. Maybe you just let it all roll off and say, it is just another day of life on the road.
Complete news story on Video: youtube I-70 Again Closed West Of Topeka
If you liked that post, then try these...Friday, 22 July 2011
Scenes along the Million Dollar Highway
Million Dollar Highway - Credit Lindsay GodfreeIf you are lucky or unlucky enough to drive the scenic Million Dollar Highway that stretches for about 25 miles in western Colorado and following route U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado you will always remember the trip. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway between Durango and Silverton, the mountain Skyway that loosely parallels the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad route.
As you drive the highway from Ouray to the summit of Red Mountain Pass along the Million Dollar Highway, you drive through three famous mining tunnels; the Meldrum Tunnel, Joker Tunnel and the most famous the Treasury Tunnel located near the top of Red Mountain Pass. The entrance to the Treasury Tunnel is behind the large metal door against the hillside across the highway from the Mining Overlook near the summit of Red Mountain.
Idarado Mine - Credit Lindsay GodfreeDuring your ascent you’ll see the remains of the Idarado Mine. There is a scenic overlook turnout but not for truckers, to take photos and read the history of the mines. When traveling one way from Ouray to Silverton drivers hug the inside of curves; travel the other, drivers perches on the vertiginous outside edge of the highway. Large semi trucks and RVs travel in both directions, which adds a degree of excitement for people on the edge.
Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive, characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails. The ascent to Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin “S” curves gaining elevation, and more narrow lanes for traffic cut directly into the sides of mountains. Thrills and chills for gear shifting truck drivers and you better be sure the brakes are in good working order for this drive.
Pinkerton Hot Springs cone - Credit Lindsay GodfreeYou will also pass the ski resort of Purgatory which is my current favorite place to ski. Near Hermosa you come across a with travertine mound that minerals of a hot spring has built up over the years a along the side of the road. A family by the name of Pinkerton settled in this area in 1875 and started a dairy farm. The Pinkertons built a bath house so family and guests could enjoy the hot springs known as Pinkerton Hot Springs. In the 1920s, Pinkerton-in-the-Pines Resort offered a pool for swimming, plus music and dancing but all that is there now is the marker by the cone and warm water coming out.
Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway? Some claim that it derives from the actual cost of blasting and paving the route in the 1930s. Some say it was first used after an early traveler, complaining of the vertigo-inducing steepness of the route, said, “I wouldn’t go that way again if you paid me a million dollars.” But the favorite explanation is probably the most likely: When the highway was first constructed, the builders used gravel discarded by nearby gold and silver mines, only to find out later that this dirt was actually rich in ore and worth an estimated “million dollars.”
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