Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, July 5, 2023:
Fuel haulers' hours of service waiver in Colorado
The Colorado State Patrol has issued a temporary hours of service exemption for fuel haulers in the state, effective through July 15.
The exemption only applies to drivers hauling heating fuels, propane, natural gas, gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels, as well as non-blended ethanol products intended for use in the production of gasoline products.
“The Colorado State Patrol recognizes the importance of timely and consistent heating and transportation fuel deliveries in Colorado for Public Safety Functions as well as consumer needs,” CSP said in the exemption notice.
Drivers are required to continue logging their hours of service during the exemption period, CSP added.
South Dakota fuel haulers have a similar waiver in place until July 9, while Nebraska fuel haulers can operate under an HOS exemption through Sept. 4.
[Related: Low fuel inventories prompt HOS waiver for fuel haulers]
Federal grants awarded for new truck parking
Two federal grants were awarded for projects that will create a total of 170 new truck parking places in Texas and Louisiana. The projects are funding by Department of Transportation Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants, formerly known as BUILD and TIGER grants.
In Texas, a new truck parking plaza will be constructed at the intersection of state highways 130 and 180. The project includes 100 long-term truck parking spaces and 20 short-term spots. It will have restrooms, showers, and other amenities, and will be monitored 24 hours a day. The cost of the project is more than $22.9 million.
The Louisiana project will be located near the inland port of Columbia in the northern part of the state where SH 165 intersects with the Ouachita River. it will have 50 truck parking spots, as well as 100 spaces for cars. This parking facility will cost more than $10.5 million to construct.
The project also incorporates energy-efficient investments by providing electric vehicle charging stations designed to provide auxiliary power units to power commercial truck cabs' heating and cooling systems without having to run the engine, while also recharging the trucks.
[Related: Truck parking funding bill advances in House]
ATHS names four to Hall of Fame
During its National Convention and Truck Show in Reno, Nevada, last month the American Truck Historical Society announced its 2023 inductees for the American Trucking and Industry Leader (ATIL) Hall of Fame.
ATIL Hall of Fame Chair Tom Mullen announced at the ATHS Awards Banquet that the following pioneers would be honored during an induction ceremony at the ATHS home office in Kansas City, Missouri, on Oct. 25:
- Ted Rogers, first president of the American Trucking Associations
- Harry Kent and Edgar Worth, founders of Kenworth
- Frank Seiberling, founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Al and Don Schneider, founders of Schneider National Inc.
“ATHS looks forward to welcoming these four icons of the industry to the Hall of Fame and honoring their contributions to society and the economy,” Mullen said. “It is a privilege to recognize these trucking industry pioneers and their accomplishments.”
All previous inductees will be invited to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony. Previous inductees include Cummins founder Clessie Cummins, the Mack brothers, Dave Nemo, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Old Dominion Freight Line founders Earl and Lillian Congdon, Freightliner Trucks founder Leland James, and Iowa 80 Group founders Bill and Carolyn Moon.
[Related: Owner-operator Angelique Temple inducted to Howes Hall of Fame]
HHG mover sentenced for stealing property
A Florida-based household goods moving company employee was sentenced last month for their role in a scheme to defraud customers, the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General reported.
Sofien Mlayah was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $334,499.73 forfeiture, and a $300 special assessment. In March, Mlayah pleaded guilty to charges relating to wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and failure to give up possession of household goods.
OIG said an investigation revealed that Mlayah, a former employee of Zano Moving and Storage, LLC, and a co-conspirator stole property from victims who hired the company to provide interstate moving services.
[Related: FMCSA cracking down on household goods moving scams]
