Trucking news and briefs for Friday, July 7, 2023:
Canada-to-U.S. border crossing closed through October for maintenance
The westbound span of the Blue Water Bridge that connects Point Edward, Ontario, to Port Huron, Michigan, closed July 5 to “address required maintenance,” and will remain closed Oct. 23, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Both directions of traffic are now traveling on the eastbound span while the work is completed. One lane is for westbound traffic entering the U.S. and two lanes are available for eastbound traffic heading into Canada.
According to government data on U.S. border crossings, there have been more than 340,000 trucks to enter the U.S. via Port Huron so far in 2023.
During the closure, wide loads will be restricted to 11 feet.
“The Blue Water Bridge is an essential economic link between Canada and the United States,” MDOT said. “This important project continues the commitment between the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to maintain and preserve the safety and reliability of the Blue Water Bridge.”
I-15 closing overnight next week
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced an overnight closure of northbound Interstate 15 for the installation of an Active Traffic Management (ATM) gantry.
The overnight closure will be in effect from Monday, July 10, through Tuesday, July 11, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. During this time, I-15 North will be closed at Russell Road. Northbound drivers will be diverted into the collector-distributor lane parallel to I-15.
A total of 10 new ATM gantries (five northbound, five southbound) will be installed as part of the I-15/Tropicana Interchange project. The full-colored LED signs provide next-generation, real-time driver information to prepare motorists for upcoming incidents and lane restrictions. The system will assist drivers entering and exiting the resort corridor on I-15, NDOT said.
Operation Safe Driver Week enforcement blitz begins Sunday
It'll pay to be on your best driving behavior starting Sunday, which marks the beginning of the latest of several widespread enforcement efforts.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver Week begins Sunday and lasts until Saturday, July 15. During that week, law enforcement officers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will be on the lookout for drivers of commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles engaging in unsafe driving behaviors. Those exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors will be pulled over and given a warning and/or issued a ticket/citation by law enforcement.
Each year, Operation Safe Driver Week focuses on a specific unsafe driving behavior. This year, the focus is on speeding. CVSA said it continues to focus on speeding because it remains a persistent problem on roadways. Speeding increases the frequency and severity of crashes, and unsafe speeds are a well-documented factor in fatalities and injuries, according to the safety alliance.
Other examples of unsafe driver behaviors include improper lane changes, passing or turns; driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; using a handheld device; failure to wear a seat belt and more.
Last year officers in the U.S. and Canada pulled over more than 35,000 commercial motor vehicles and passenger vehicles and issued 26,164 warnings and citations. Officers issued 8,586 citations and 7,299 warnings for speeding/violating basic speed law/driving too fast for conditions. That includes 2,577 warnings to commercial motor vehicle drivers and 4,722 to passenger vehicle drivers. Citations were given to 1,490 commercial motor vehicle drivers and 7,096 passenger vehicle drivers.
[Related: The 14-state truck speed trap]
Veterans in Trucking hosting trip to Vietnam for vets
Veterans in Trucking has joined forces with Waypoint Vets and Fastport to offer honorably discharged veterans in the trucking industry an opportunity to share their stories of service in the military for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Vietnam Nov. 4-12.
The journey will involve 10 veterans and will include both historical expeditions and outdoor adventures. This is an opportunity for veterans to connect with their peers, share their stories, and experience the healing power of nature, VIT said.
Submissions are open and winners of the trip will be announced July 20. Interested veterans can visit veteransintrucking.com for more information and can share their stories here.
Veterans In Trucking is dedicated to providing a supportive environment for veterans to share their experiences and bond with one another. The trip is designed to help veterans find peace and closure after their time in the service.
To be considered for this trip veterans must share their story of serving honorably in either the military or the trucking industry. The trip is open to all veterans in the trucking industry that were honorably discharged from the military.
[Related: Kenworth donates T680 Signature Edition for military vet rookie trucker award]
