News roundup, Oct. 8: Riskiest highway interchanges, new aero option for Mack Anthem, Pa. rest areas closing for renovation

Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019:

Lytx report lists the country’s riskiest roads
Smart dashcam provider Lytx on Monday unveiled its annual list of riskiest stretches of highways in the U.S., with four interchanges in Pennsylvania ranking in the Top 5 list. Lytx based its findings on events recorded on its dashcam/telematics product, based on 6.2 billion miles of recordings, the company says.

The five stretches with the most risk events in 2018 were:

1. Pennsylvania Route 309 intersection with Pennsylvania Route 145 and E Rock Road (Allentown, Penn.)
2. Pennsylvania Route 309: East of W Emaus Avenue (Allentown, Penn.)
3. Interstate 85 intersection with University Station Road (Hillsborough, N.C.)
4. Interstate 84 intersection with Pennsylvania Route 435 (Dunmore, Penn.)
5. Interstate 81 / Pennsylvania Route 309 intersection with E Northampton Street (Wilkes-Barre Township, Penn.)

Mack adds chassis fairing to aerodynamics options
Mack Trucks on Monday announced a new option for its flagship Anthem tractor — an extended chassis fairing that the company says boost fuel economy by a half a percent by directing air more smoothly around the rear axles. The  fairing is available for order now. It also features integrated steps and improves access to the back-of-cab area.

Rest areas on I-81 in Pennsylvania closing for renovations
The Pennsylvania DOT will close the northbound and southbound rest areas in Grantsville near milemarker 79 northeast of Harrisburg for approximately 18 months. PennDOT says the closures are for major reconstruction of the rest stops.The rest areas will close Wednesday, Oct. 16, and are not expected to reopen until the summer of 2021.

Prometeon debuts regional vocational tire line
Prometeon’s Nextroad brand tire line is suited for regional applications and is being introduced to small fleets and owner-operators in the United States and Canada in three standard sizes: 295/75R22.5, 11R22.5 and 11R24.5, with the latter available in early 2020. Featuring drive open-shoulder and steer applications, the new range is designed for various vocational segments, offering high mileage, enhanced traction in all weather conditions and added retreadability.