Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020:
Trucking group warns of highway closure from protest in Chicago
The Mid-West Truckers Association is warning truck drivers of a protest rally and march that is expected to shut down portions of the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-94) in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 15.
The group says truckers are urged to avoid I-94 in both directions within the city, and if drivers are only traveling through northeast Illinois, they are urged to take alternate routes, such as I-294.
According to the group, authorities say marchers are planning to enter the northbound lanes of the interstate around noon at the 47th Street entrance ramp and proceed to the 43rd Street exit ramp. All vehicle traffic will be diverted onto local traffic lanes. Entrance to the northbound lanes of the expressway will be restricted beginning at 63rd Street, and all traffic will be diverted off the interstate at 59th Street. Traffic on the Chicago Skyway will also be restricted at Stony Island Avenue.
There has been increased awareness among truck drivers since nationwide protests were sparked in late May following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which resulted in a trucker driving into a crowd of protesters on I-35 West in the city on May 31. The driver, Bogdan Vechirko, didn’t hit anyone and no one was hurt, but after he came to a stop, he was pulled out of his cab and beaten until some protesters stepped in to shield him until police arrived.
If you are driving near Chicago this weekend, or in any area with protests that may spill onto a highway, keep these tips in mind to avoid escalating the situation.
Iowa releases plan to add 247 truck parking spaces to rest areas
The Iowa Department of Transportation this week released an updated long-term plan for the state’s rest area system.
