Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 8, 2024:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Tuesday extended the emergency declaration that was issued in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
The declaration was first issued by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on March 26, the day of the collapse. Due to FMCSA regulations, emergency declarations from state governors can only be effective for 14 days. As such, FMCSA extended the declaration on April 4 through May 8. Now, the agency is extending the declaration for another month, through June 8.
As reported, the extension applies to operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts related to the collapse of the bridge and partial closure of the Port of Baltimore. Direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure or routine commercial deliveries, after the initial threat to life and property has passed, FMCSA noted, or mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.
Direct assistance includes:
Carriers and drivers transporting equipment and supplies related to immediate repairs to the roadways and navigable waterways adjacent to the Port of Baltimore and transportation related to the removal of wreckage and debris from the navigable waterways providing access to the Port of Baltimore are granted emergency relief from the maximum driving time regs is 49 CFR Part 395.3.
Drivers transporting re-routed commodities are allowed up to two additional hours on their daily maximum driving time, along with drivers transporting fuel in the areas specified above.
