Land Line Now’s Community Bulletin Board for Nov. 18, 2021.
Maine toll hike
A toll increase has gone into effect on the Maine Turnpike. The rate for a five-axle truck traveling the full length of the turnpike is now $32, up from $28. The Turnpike Authority says the hike will offset losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
UCR registration Oct. 1 through Dec. 31
Registration for UCR – the Unified Carrier Registration System – opens Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. The fee is $59 for one to two units.
Go to plan.UCR.gov for information. You can also call OOIDA’s Business Services Department for questions or to get help at 816-229-5791.
Highway Hero nominations
Nominations are now open for the Goodyear Highway Hero Award. It’s open to any North American professional truck driver who put their life at risk to help others. Nominations are open through Dec. 31.
To nominate someone for the Goodyear Highway Hero Award, go to the Goodyear website.
Watch out for deer
Truckers are advised to keep an eye out for deer crossing highways from now through December. Truckers are advised to slow down if they see a deer crossing the road; avoid swerving to avoid a deer; always wear a seat belt; and keep headlights on bright unless other vehicles are approaching.
New York HUT due soon
Truckers who travel in New York must pay the state’s Highway Use Tax, or HUT. Renewal begins Oct. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. You must display a decal indicating payment of the tax when running in the state. The decal is good for three years.
You can go to the New York HUT website for more information; you can also call OOIDA’s Business Services Department for questions or to get help at 816-229-5791.
Mid-America requests nominations for Wall of Fame
The producers of the Mid-America Trucking Show are asking for nominations for a MATS Wall of Fame. The wall will honor people, companies and products for the show’s 50th anniversary edition in 2022.
Submit your nomination today.
Land Line Now’s Community Bulletin Board for Nov. 4, 2021.
Parking ban in Minneapolis starts Jan. 1
Minneapolis has passed a truck parking ban on all city streets. It applies to any truck weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Citations will start being written Jan. 1, first for $150, then up to $250 starting one year later.
Read more: Minneapolis City Council approves truck parking ban ordinance.
KS winter operations problems
The Kansas Department of Transportation says it does not have enough people to operate snowplows in some areas. That means some highways may not be cleared of snow and ice as quickly as they were in the past.
Read more here: Staffing shortages could impact KDOT winter operations.
Also, before traveling, motorists can check www.KanDrive.org.
Pennsylvania tolls to increase – again
For the 14th year in a row, Pennsylvania will increase tolls on its turnpike. A 5 percent increase goes into effect Jan. 2, 2022.
You can calculate toll rates at the turnpike’s website.
Wisconsin offers diesel emission reduction grants
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications Clean Diesel Grants. The grants are to pay for projects that reduce diesel vehicle emissions. The deadline is Jan. 7.
Get the details and apply here.
Washington’s I-5 rest areas closed
Several rest areas, including truck parking, are closed along 83 miles of Interstate 5 between Everett, Wash., and the Canadian border. That includes parking at Everett, Smokey Point and Custer. The state DOT blames a staffing shortage.
Learn more at the Washington state DOT website.
CARB Phase 2 delayed
The California Air Resources Board is delaying enforcement of its Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions trailer requirements until 2022.
Port Authority delays toll increase
The Delaware River Port Authority has delayed a scheduled toll increase until at least 2022. The Authority operates four bridges over the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Idaho to start licensing hauling hemp cargos, production
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture had approved the state’s hemp law, which defined “hemp” as different from marijuana and legalized it. That means truckers can haul it without encountering problems with law enforcement.
Learn more here: Idaho to start licensing hauling hemp cargos, production.
MATS asks for your truck show memories
The Mid-America Trucking Show is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Organizers are asking truckers to take a moment to share some memories from past shows. Get all the details on the MATS website.
3G shutdown could cripple your ELD
Some ELDs may stop functioning starting in 2022 as mobile carriers shut down their 3G networks, which those devices depend on. Truckers should contact their ELD providers and find out if they use 3G, and if so, ask them how they plan to upgrade or replace your device.
According to FMCSA, the schedule for complete 3G shutdowns are as follows:
- AT&T: Feb. 22, 2022
- Sprint (T-Mobile): March 31, 2022
- Sprint LTE (T-Mobile): June 30, 2022
- T-Mobile: July 1, 2022
- Verizon: Dec. 31, 2022
Any questions about the changes can be emailed to ELD@DOT.gov. LL
Read more about the sunsetting of 3G tech here.
