Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
October 29th, 2024
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
DOT Awards $30 Million Towards Truck Parking Projects
The Department of Transportation has allocated over $30 million to transportation projects aimed at establishing 210 new truck parking spaces and three new rest areas in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
The funds come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and was distributed via the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program.
Ohio: will receive nearly $18 million for a truck parking expansion project that will repurpose two closed rest areas into truck parking facilities. One on I-70 eastbound near New Paris with 100 truck parking spaces and the other on I-80 eastbound near Hubbard with 38 truck parking spaces, per the US DOT.
Wisconsin: will receive $12.5 million towards I-43 safety rest areas and truck parking expansions. This project will increase the availability of safe truck parking facilities between Green Bay, WI and Chicago, IL, to help eliminate commercial vehicle operators from parking in unsafe or unauthorized areas.
Nevada: As part of their I-80 East Lane Addition and Shoulder Widening project, 50 new truck parking spots will be created.
Commerce Blog
Small to medium-sized businesses typically don’t hold formal bids over annual cycles on their projected transportation requirements. However, this doesn’t mean they should blindly award freight to whatever the carrier is the flavor of the week. They need to ensure, beforehand, their freight needs are covered by well-vetted and qualified service providers. The following are some ideas on what should guide conversations between these types of shippers and their prospective transportation providers.
[Labor] Port of Montreal: On Sunday, October 27th, the dockworkers went on a one-day port strike that ended early morning on Monday, the 28th. Those workers held off of any work at all of the port’s container and dry bulk terminals during the 24-hour strike, per the Port of Montreal.
Since October 10th, the dockworkers at the Port of Montreal have started an overtime strike. Meaning – they will refrain from working any overtime for an indefinite period. A proposal to restart the mediation process – without additional pressure tactics – was rejected by the Montreal Longshoremen’s union.
Diesel Update: The average price of diesel increased by 2 cents a gallon, putting the average price of diesel per gallon at $3.573, per the U.S. EIA.
[Labor] USEC/USGC Longshore Contract: In a joint announcement, the ILA and the USMX said they will continue discussions on a new master contract next month (November). These discussions will be about the remaining outstanding issues (automation being a key one) until a contract is agreed to. While the parties have agreed to a tentative agreement, they decided to extend the master contract until January 15th, 2025.
Truckload Rates/Capacity: Capacity remains readily available, but truckload spot rates have seen increases post-hurricane Milton. Per DAT Freight & Analytics, the U.S. truckload market seems to be moving towards a supply-demand equilibrium.
Port Infrastructure: Oregon plans to be the first ship to rail port terminal on the USWC after receiving $25 million from the US DOT. The funds will go towards the environmental review, permitting, and initial engineering for the terminal’s railyard, container yard, wharf, and berths, the port said in a press release.
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