Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, May 15, 2025:
PAM Transport president, CEO resigning
PAM Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 58) President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Vitiritto is resigning from the Tontitown, Arkansas-based carrier effective June 27, citing "family reasons."
Matthew Moroun, chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, will serve as interim president and CEO upon Vitiritto's departure until a permanent hire is made. He previously served as the interim president and CEO of the company from May 2020 to August 2020.
Moroun has served as a director of the company since 1992 and as Chairman of the Board of since 2007.
He currently serves as Chairman and President of a diversified holding company based in Warren, Michigan. He is also chairman of an insurance and real estate holding company based in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Moroun owns or controls other privately-held businesses engaged in transportation services and real estate acquisition, development and management. He is currently Chairman of the company’s Executive Committee and chairman of the company’s Compensation Committee.
New York to expand use of weigh-in-motion tech
The New York City Department of Transportation has announced that the state of New York’s 2026 budget authorizes the use of weigh-in-motion (WIM) sensors in an additional 14 locations in New York state, including nine city-owned bridges and highways managed by NYC DOT.
In 2021, the state gave NYC DOT exclusive authority to use WIM technology to enforce penalties on the number of overweight vehicles on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE). This technology, which uses roadway weight sensors and enforcement cameras to issue violations to overweight vehicles, resulted in a 60% reduction in overweight vehicles on the BQE, NYC DOT said. WIM enforcement on the BQE began in 2023.
“Weigh-in-motion technology has significantly reduced the number of overweight trucks on the BQE -- now, with deep thanks to Governor Hochul, the New York State Legislature, and the hard work of advocates and NYC DOT, we can expand this effective tool across New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth. “This will help us prioritize work and protect our infrastructure in the long term. That is government innovation at its best.”
In addition to BQE Route I-278 in Kings County (Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street), WIM is now authorized for the following areas, owned by NYC DOT unless otherwise noted:
- Greenpoint Avenue Bridge over Newtown Creek
- Metropolitan Avenue Bridge over Newtown Creek
- Hamilton Avenue Bridge over the Gowanus Canal
- Williamsburg Bridge
- Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (State Route 25)
- Third Avenue Bridge over the Harlem River
- Manhattan Bridge
- Long Island Expressway (I-495) over Woodhaven Boulevard
- RFK Bridge (Non-NYC DOT-owned in NYC)
- George Washington Bridge (Non-NYC DOT-owned in NYC)
- Bear Mountain Bridge (New York State-owned outside NYC)
- Newburgh Beacon Bridge (New York State-owned outside NYC)
- Mid-Hudson Bridge (New York State-owned outside NYC)
- NYS Thruway Interchange 34-A near Syracuse (New York State-owned outside NYC)
[Related: NYC installs weigh-in-motion sensors on major highway]
Pennsylvania milk haulers could get OK to operate during winter road restrictions
The Pennsylvania Senate last week passed a bill that would allow milk haulers to operate within the state during weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans and emergency declarations.
Under Senate Bill 481, commonly referred to as the Milk Hauler Exemption Bill, milk transportation vehicles would be permitted to move on highways 24 hours a day, seven days a week during such restrictions, provided they display a one-time decal issued by the Pennsylvania Milk Board.
“The dairy industry operates around the clock, and cows don’t stop producing milk because of bad weather,” said bill sponsor Sen. Judy Ward. “This legislation ensures that our dairy farmers can get their product to market without unnecessary delays, preventing waste and supporting our agricultural economy.”
Ward noted that the bill addresses concerns raised by dairy producers in her district who have previously been forced to discard milk due to transportation restrictions during emergencies. By allowing milk haulers to assess road conditions and make informed decisions, the legislation aims to balance public safety with the practical needs of the dairy industry, she said.
The bill passed the state Senate on May 7 and is currently with the Pennsylvania House Committee on Transportation. It will need to pass the House and be signed by the governor to become law.
