Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
April 11th, 2023
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
Commerce Express Blog
It’s been a strange year at the border.
If egg bandits weren’t bizarre enough, another headscratcher happened last week.
Customs systems on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border acted up for a period of time spurring on delays for truck drivers at a well-trafficked port of entry in El Paso, Texas.
Hundreds of rigs were queued up and waiting for hours on end at the Ciudad Jaurez-El Paso border crossing.
Trucking Update
Construction Projects in Ohio Continue
Bridges, tolls, and pavement are all expected to get upgrades on the Ohio Turnpike, which are set to begin this month.
The construction on the turnpike – which is 241 miles and spans 13 counties in northern Ohio – include resurfacing and replacing pavement, improving bridges, and modernizing the turnpike’s toll collection system.
Officials involved with the construction ask drivers to drive safely in and around the work zones, paying attention to the signs along the way, avoid distractions, and be prepared to slow down or stop.
Two lanes of traffic will remain open throughout the entire duration of this construction.
U.S. CBP Have Expanded Hours of Operations at Certain Entry Ports in North Dakota and Idaho
Starting April 1st and lasting 120 days, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has expanded hours of operations from 9am to 7pm at North Dakota’s Maida, Northgate and Sherwood ports of entry – per Transport Topics.
As well as expanding the time from 7am to 7pm at Idaho’s Porthill port of entry.
Why are these times temporarily being expanded?
Well, federal officials say it’s to help them determine what to do next, as U.S. – Canada border traffic volumes are lower than they have been even before the pandemic, at these specific entry ports.
At the end of the 120 days, the CBP will put together an analysis of the traffic flow; including an hourly breakdown, overall volume, and types of conveyances that crossed the border.
Preliminary Reports for North American Class 8 Net Orders
These preliminary reports show that North American Class 8 net orders for March met expectations at 19,000 units.
Orders in March declined 18 percent month-over-month and 11 percent year-over-year, per AJOT.
These preliminary orders are subject to revision when FTR releases their final data mid-month.
Most of the build spots were filled for this year and it was anticipated that slower order activity would occur. Additionally, experts believe the reduced order levels will continue through the summer months.
Did You Know: Retail Diesel Prices Continue to Decline
As of yesterday, April 10th, the average weekly retail price dropped to $4.098 a gallon.
This is a decline of 0.7 cents per gallon. It’s also the 10th consecutive week that the price has declined.
Rail Update
FRA Issues Safety Advisory on Freight Train Configurations
Train derailments have been a big talking point, especially these last couple of months. Now, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory that seeks freight railroads to look into how they configure freight trains.
The FRA feels that train configuration or makeup may have been a cause or contributing factor in – at least – six derailments these past two years. You can read more about it here.
Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending April 1st, 2023
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- Total U.S. weekly rail traffic as 467,430 carloads and intermodal units – down 7.4 percent compared to the same time last year.
- Total U.S. weekly intermodal volume remains down 13.4 percent compared to the same time last year.
- Metallic ores and metals, petroleum and petroleum products, motor vehicles and parts, all posted increases. While chemicals, grain, and non-metallic minerals all posted decreases from the same time last year.
- Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 13 weeks of this year was 6,017,055 carloads and intermodal units – a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to last year.
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