Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024:
Connecticut begins $31M truck parking expansion
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) on Friday announced it launched a $31 million statewide project aimed at expanding truck parking facilities at five key locations across the state.
The first phase of the project is underway at the Middletown rest area on Interstate 91 northbound, which will add 11 new truck parking spaces, increasing capacity at this location by more than 40%.
By the end of the decade, CTDOT plans to add more than 180 new truck parking spaces in Middletown, Madison, Southington, Southbury, and Vernon.
Connecticut currently has approximately 420 truck parking spaces at public service plazas and rest areas. This expansion project will increase the state’s public truck parking capacity to about 600 spaces, an increase of 44%.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard truckers loud and clear when they called for more places to safely park along state highways,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “We are excited to begin these projects to improve safety for the trucking community, who keep our economy moving.”
The statewide truck parking expansion project will be completed in phases over the next several years, significantly improving the availability of safe and secure parking for truck drivers throughout Connecticut, CTDOT said.
“The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut wholeheartedly applauds Commissioner Eucalitto and the Connecticut Department of Transportation for addressing the truck parking shortage issue head on,” said Motor Transport Association of CT (MTAC) President John Blair. “The truck parking shortage has plagued the trucking industry for decades, and the consequences of insufficient capacity are as wide ranging as they are severe. The scarcity of truck parking spaces across the country decreases safety for all highway users, exacerbates the industry longstanding workforce challenges, diminishes trucking productivity, and results in unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The effort here in Connecticut will undoubtedly make our roads safer.”
[Related: DOT grants funding for truck parking in three states]
Electric medium-duty International truck recalled due to windshield defrost system issue
International Motors is recalling approximately 22 model year 2025 eMV trucks, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents. Affected trucks were built between May 21 and October 21, 2024.
A circuit breaker may be missing, causing the defrosting system to be inoperative. As such, the trucks are out of compliance with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Dealers will install a 5A circuit breaker and a label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 25, 2025. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 24518. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-906.
Service brake issue prompts recall of severe-duty International HX
International is also recalling approximately 57 model year 2022-‘25 HX severe-duty trucks in which the service brake may take longer than expected to release.
As such, the trucks may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
International will install larger air lines or a quick release valve (QRV) as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Jan. 13, 2025. Owners can contact International customer service at 1-800-448-7825. NHTSA’s recall number is 24V-880.
Ohio-based fleet owner ordered to pay $261K for fraud scheme
Trucking company owner Gurtej Singh, also known as Gary Bhullar, was sentenced on Oct. 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio for a fraud scheme in which he overbilled shippers and illegally consolidated loads.
The court ordered Singh to pay $261,752 in restitution.
From April 2018 to May 2022, Singh charged shippers a premium rate to reserve an entire trailer, ensuring their cargo would not to be mixed with cargo from other shipments. After receiving the premium payment from customers, Singh and others opened sealed trailers and removed goods to illegally consolidate loads and reduce their own costs. The company also often failed to deliver many goods to their final destination, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General said.
In addition, Singh made false statements on an application filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stating that he had no relationships with other FMCSA-regulated entities.
[Related: Fleet owner pleads guilty after opening sealed trailers, illegally consolidating freight]
Southeastern Freight opens relocated terminal in Louisville
Southeastern Freight Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 29) today announced the opening of a relocated service center in Louisville, Kentucky.
The new Louisville service center, located at 150 Loves Road in Shepherdsville, consists of 40 associates and 100 dock doors – more than double the number of dock doors featured at the previous facility.
Boasting an elevated appointment warehouse, a driver rest facility, truck shop and more, the new state-of-the-art Louisville service center highlights Southeastern’s continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers, supporting the well-being and development of its associates, and enhancing overall operational efficiency, the company said.
“This new service center is an incredible upgrade for Louisville, enabling us to not only better support our team of associates but advance our performance and optimize travel times,” said Henson Gibbs, service center manager. "We’re excited to operate from this new, ideal location to bolster our service in the Louisville area, and I’m confident that great opportunities are ahead for our team."
Previously located at 2220 South 7th Street, the Louisville service center opened for business in 2015 with 48 dock doors and eight associates.
