Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, July 31, 2024:
Trucking groups urge Congress to pass $755 million truck parking bill
A coalition of trade groups, led by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, are urging House of Representatives leaders to pass the $755 million truck parking bill to expand truck parking across the nation.
The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which boasts 49 co-sponsors from both sides of the political aisle, passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a 60-4 vote in May 2023.
The letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) highlights the importance of additional parking for America’s truck drivers. “By increasing capacity, we can ensure that truck drivers do not have to choose between parking in a potentially unsafe location, such as a highway shoulder, or continuing to drive while they feel fatigued or are out of available driving hours under federally-mandated hours-of-service regulations,” the letter says. (Emphasis in original.)
[Related: Funding bill says no to truck speed limiters, yes to truck parking]
The letter also brings to light the impact of the current shortage of truck parking on public safety and the supply chain.

“House passage of H.R. 2367 would be an important step not only for improving highway safety, but demonstrating to all the hardworking men and women in the trucking industry that Congress is capable of working together to address problems affecting their daily lives on the road,” the letter says. “Truckers operate in one of the most heavily-regulated industries, especially for small businesses. They often feel that the federal government implements strict regulations on their operations but fails to act when it comes time to address the critical safety concerns they have identified."
Groups signaled in the letter that they "stand ready to work with you to provide whatever assistance is necessary to secure another strong, bipartisan vote in support of this legislation on the House floor.”
A number of trucking groups co-signed the letter with OOIDA, including: the American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Western States Trucking Association, North American Punjabi Trucking Association, Women In Trucking, National Private Truck Council, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, Transportation Intermediaries Association and more.
[Related: Survey says: Paid truck parking generally not utilized, resented by many truckers]
I-17 closure planned this weekend
A stretch of northbound Interstate 17 in north Phoenix is scheduled to be closed this weekend, Aug. 2-5, for ongoing pavement improvement work, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Drivers should allow extra time, consider traveling during non-peak morning or nighttime hours and stay on the designated detour route when northbound I-17 is closed between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 5.
Traffic will detour on westbound Happy Valley Road to northbound Lake Pleasant Parkway and use eastbound Loop 303 to return to I-17. The northbound I-17 on-ramps at Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads also will be closed.
Crews are continuing a much-needed project to improve the ride on 6 miles of I-17 between Happy Valley Road and State Route 74, ADOT said.
Following the initial removal of an old, worn top layer of asphalt pavement along the freeway, crews have been replacing bridge deck joints and have started smoothing the freeway’s remaining concrete surface.
[Related: Battery fire shut down I-15, I-40]
Love’s Financial acquires REV Capital’s factoring business
Love’s Financial is welcoming hundreds of new financial services customers with the acquisition of the U.S. transportation factoring portfolio of REV Capital.
During Love’s Financial’s 10th anniversary year, the deal aligns with Love’s plans to grow its financial services business and offerings, the company said. The acquisition closed last week, and terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“During a challenging freight market, this acquisition underscores Love’s commitment to grow strategically as a leader in helping owner-operators and fleets of any size grow their business,” said Shane Wharton, Love’s president. “These new clients can expect the same best-in-class customer service Love’s existing customers have come to expect, with scalable funding to maximize growth and cash flow.”
Through the acquisition process, the more than 500 customers in REV Capital’s U.S. transportation factoring portfolio transitioning to Love’s Financial will not experience any disruptions or delays in funding, Love’s noted.
Love’s new clients gain access to additional bundled services at Love’s nationwide network of travel stops, including fuel discounts, a no-fee credit line on Love’s Express Billing Program, and access to emergency roadside service, light mechanical services, lube and preventative maintenance at Love’s Truck Care and Speedco.