Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024:
Tonnage dipped in September but remains up since January low
ATA reported truck tonnage was down 2.1% in September, wiping out increases in July and August.ATA
The American Trucking Associations reported Tuesday that truck tonnage decreased in September but remains up since January.
ATA’s advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 2.1% in September after rising 1.7% in August. In September, the index equaled 113.2 compared with 115.6 in August.
“After increasing a total of 2.1% in July and August, tonnage fell by that amount in September,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Freight has been very choppy this year, but despite the latest drop, tonnage is up 1.8% since hitting a low in January. No doubt, the climb up has been slow and difficult as manufacturing activity remains flat, but the trend is up, not down.”
Compared with September 2023, the index fell 0.9%, after rising 0.6% in August from a year earlier.
The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 111.6 in September, 6.4% below August. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to traditional spot market freight.
FMCSA reopens comment period for fleet’s split-sleeper exemption
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is reopening a comment period from this past summer for McKee Foods Transportation’s request for renewal of a waiver allowing its drivers more split-sleeper flexibility.
FMCSA has added a supplemental document to the docket -- “McKee Foods Transportation Sleeper-Berth Exemption Provisions Interpretation” -- and has thus reopened the comment period for another 30 days. The comment period was originally open July 10 through Aug. 9. The docket received just five comments during that time.
As reported, McKee Foods’ exemption allows its team drivers to continue to use the split up to 5/5 for the equivalent of 10 hours off-duty (as long as neither of the two periods is less than three hours). Hours-of-service regulations currently allow all operators to utilize a maximum 7/3-hour split.
FMCSA said because the supplemental document was not included in the docket during the original comment period, it “believes that potential commenters should have an opportunity to review both documents.” As a result, the comment period is now reopened through Nov. 21.
[Related: McKee Foods requests extension of split sleeper waiver]
Nevada begins sign replacement along I-11/U.S. 93/U.S. 95
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is beginning a project to replace signage along the I-515/U.S. 95/U.S. 93 corridor from the Henderson Interchange to Kyle Canyon Road to reflect the Federal Highway Administration’s designation of this route as Interstate 11 (I-11).
The FHWA officially designated this stretch as I-11 on Nov. 24, 2023.
While the interstate now carries the I-11 designation, it will also retain its U.S. 95 and U.S. 93 designation, with I-11 taking precedence. The project, expected to be completed by fall 2025, involves replacing approximately 1,075 sign panels using existing overhead sign supports and foundations.
Most of the work will have minimal impact on traffic, NDOT said, but brief, temporary overnight traffic stoppages may be needed on I-11, I-15, and I-215 to ensure the safe installation of new signs. Lane or ramp restrictions may also be required throughout the project. NDOT will provide advance notice of any closures or restrictions to help drivers plan their routes.
The new signage supports the I-11 corridor’s goal to improve north-south travel and boost the regional economy by easing the flow of goods, the department noted. NDOT is currently conducting a feasibility study to identify improvements necessary for converting U.S. 95 between Kyle Canyon Road and Mercury Highway into a fully access-controlled interstate highway.
Once completed, I-11 is expected to serve as a vital link between Mexico and Canada, supporting economic growth and connectivity in Nevada and the Intermountain West region.
$5K fines for trucks drivers in Tennessee national park
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a reminder that commercial trucks are barred from U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and warned of fines up to $5,000 for violators.
Newfound Gap Road is a two-lane road with steep continuous grades and tight curves. There are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the resulting interstate and road closures, more than 800 commercial trucks have been turned away from U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road. Checkpoints are being staffed 24 hours a day by NPS officials and their law enforcement partners from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Government and Sevier County.
NPS highlighted three days this month in which incidents involving commercial trucks occurred. On Oct. 3, a car hauler crashed into a wall and down an embankment in one incident, and in another, a truck’s brakes caught on fire. While responding to these incidents, eight trucks drove past emergency responders.
On Oct. 5, an NPS Ranger came upon a truck hauling a car-hauler trailer near milepost 13 that struck a vehicle traveling in the opposing lane of travel. Due to the length of the commercial trailer, it crossed over the center dividing line and struck the passenger vehicle. The driver of the commercial vehicle was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway.
Then, on Oct. 13 on Roaring Fork Road Motor Nature Trail, a tractor-trailer became stuck overnight. The vehicle had to be towed out backwards on Oct. 14, and the driver was cited for operating a commercial vehicle on a restricted roadway.
[Related: Trucks barred from U.S. 441 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park]
