19 Jan Preview: State DOT Projects Hitting the Road in 2018 Infrastructure needs have emerged as a top priority for most state administrators who received the go-ahead to spend millions of dollars on repairs as well as new construction projects that range from expanding highways to fixing decrepit roads to installing Intelligent Transportation Systems. Read more...
19 Jan Consumer Sentiment Unexpectedly Falls to a Six-Month Low Consumer sentiment unexpectedly declined in January to a six-month low as American households viewed the economy less favorably, a University of Michigan report showed Jan. 19. Read more...
19 Jan Trump Administration Losing Patience Over NAFTA Talks The U.S. is running out of patience with Canadian and Mexican resistance to key American proposals ahead of talks next week on a new North American Free Trade Agreement, two people familiar with the matter said. Read more...
18 Jan Business, Labor Leaders Offer Support for Infrastructure Funding WASHINGTON — The chorus of support for funding highways and infrastructure grew louder last week with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce unveiling a four-point plan that would raise fuel taxes, expedite the permitting process, facilitate more private investment and help construction firms address a shortage of skilled labor. Read more...
18 Jan Autonomous Trucks to Haul Cargo in Arizona An autonomous-driving technology firm plans this year to begin commercial-hauling operations in Arizona using Class 8 trucks that will require nearly no driver control of the vehicle. Read more...
18 Jan Editorial: Don’t Fear the Fuel Tax Politicians have long been loathe to increase the federal tax on diesel and gasoline. Georgia is one example why they shouldn't worry. Read more...
18 Jan Economic Optimism Keeps Consumer Comfort Near 17-Year High Americans grew more upbeat last week about the economy’s performance and the buying climate, allowing a measure of consumer sentiment to remain at an almost 17-year high, the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed Jan. 18. Read more...
18 Jan Harbor Truckers Express Cautious Optimism on Turn Times in 2017 Truck drivers took one minute longer, on average, to enter and exit the two large ports in Southern California in December 2017 compared with the same month in 2016, although the full-year average was three minutes faster than a year ago. Read more...
18 Jan J.B. Hunt Profits Grow Significantly Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announced that profits more than tripled in the fourth quarter, although, as will be the case across multiple industries, the results were bolstered by a significant tax credit related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed last month. Read more...
18 Jan Wisconsin’s Expanded Frozen Road Law Eases Weight Limit for Timber Haulers The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has expanded its “frozen road” law that allows trucks moving forest products, salt and sand to carry heavier loads. Read more...