Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, June 19, 2025:
I-40 closed near Tenn./N.C. border due to rockslide, flooding
Transportation officials in Tennessee and North Carolina are warning drivers to take alternate routes due to a rockslide and flooding along I-40 in Tennessee near the states’ border.
According to Mark Nagi, Tennessee DOT’s Regional Communications Officer for Region 1, the slide occurred at milemarker 450.
In a Thursday morning update, Nagi said the interstate remains closed, adding that crews are on-site assessing the interstate and the slope where the slide occurred.
The Tennessee DOT at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time Thursday said that while the rockslide is in the same area of I-40 in Tennessee that was damaged during Hurricane Helene, damage this time around is not as extensive. TDOT said at this point, it expects the interstate to be closed for two weeks.
Eastbound traffic heading to North Carolina is being detoured to I-81 North to I-26 East. Nagi reminded truck drivers that, just like during the I-40 closures related to Hurricane Helene late last year, commercial vehicles are prohibited on U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as it’s a two-lane road with steep grades and tight curves.
The North Carolina DOT said I-40 West is closed on its side of the border between Exit 20 and the state line. NCDOT is advising the following detours:
- Take Exit 53B (I-240 West) and follow I-240 West for 5 miles to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West 74 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to Exit 8A (I-81 South). Follow I-81 Southbound 57 miles to re-access I-40 at milemarker 421 in Tennessee.
- Traffic originating from points east of Winston-Salem should take Exit 193-B (U.S. 52 North) and follow U.S. 52 North for 34 miles to Left Exit 140 (I-74 West). Follow I-74 West for 12 miles and keep right to take I-77 North toward Wytheville, Virginia. Follow I-77 North for 38 miles, crossing into Virginia, until merging with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell, Virginia. Continue on I-81 South for 156 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to re-access I-40 at milemarker 421 in Tennessee.
- Traffic originating between Winston-Salem and Statesville should take Exit 152-B for I-77 North. Continue on I-77 North for 87 miles, crossing into Virginia, until merging with I-81 South at Fort Chiswell, Virginia. Continue on I-81 South for 156 miles, crossing into Tennessee, to re-access I-40 at milemarker 421 in Tennessee.
[Related: 'No wide loads': I-40 reopened just a few months ago to most traffic]
Texas crash data compromised, personal information potentially exposed
The Texas Department of Transportation has issued an alert notifying the public that a compromised account within its network “has led to improper downloads of a large number of crash records.” TxDOT is working to notify anyone affected.
On May 12, TxDOT identified unusual activity in its Crash Records Information System (CRIS). Further investigation revealed the activity originated from an account that was compromised and used to improperly access and download nearly 300,000 crash reports. TxDOT immediately disabled access from the compromised account.
Personal information included in crash records may contain: first and last name, mailing and/or physical address, driver license number, license plate number, car insurance policy number and other information. Notification, in this case, is not required by law, but TxDOT has taken proactive steps to inform the public by sending letters to notify the impacted individuals whose information was included in the crash reports.
Anyone who receives a letter about the issue is asked to call the dedicated assistance line at 1-833-918-5951 (toll-free), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time, excluding U.S. holidays, and be prepared to provide the engagement number included in the letter, TxDOT said.
TxDOT is implementing additional security measures for accounts to help prevent similar incidents in the future. The compromise is under investigation.
[Related: Would-be FMCSA registration hackers claim to fight fraud with latest phishing expedition]
Hotshot stopped in Iowa for excessive speeding
The Iowa State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit recently made an example out of a hotshot driver pulling a flatbed for excessive speeding.
In a June 17 Facebook post, ISP said the hotshot was stopped the day prior in Wapello County for traveling at 100 mph in a 65-mph zone. Not only that, but the officer also discovered 17 vehicle violations during an inspection, including no operable brakes on the trailer.
“This is the time of the year when our traffic fatalities tend to increase,” ISP said. “Slow down, put the phone down, and don't become a statistic!”
