LLN (1/11/19) – Virginia pursues tolling to pay for Interstate 81 improvements. Also, OOIDA sues Indiana over truck toll increases. Indiana’s DOT explains the closing of four rest areas. Jon Osburn discusses weather problems, reefer rates and UCR confusion. Truckers help the war on human trafficking. Some Senate committees’ focus is changing. And what new U.S. House appointments mean for you.
0:00 – 9:26 – Newscast
9:26 – 24:11 – I-81 tolls; Indiana rest areas; toll lawsuit; human trafficking
24:11 – 39:07 – Weather problems; reefer rates; UCR confusion
39:07 – 48:55 – Senate committee changes; House appointments
Segment 1
Newscast
- OOIDA TRACER system has issued an alert on a stolen semi-trailer. The white 2002 Great Dane van has #312 written on the sides. It was last seen on South Swanson Street in Philadelphia. A $500 reward is offered for information leading to its recovery.
- Find more information on the Great Dane van.
- See more TRACER alerts.
- And call 202-246-2698 if you have information.
- The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the south-central portion of Illinois, most of south-central Indiana and all but the far-western portions of Missouri. Meanwhile, winter weather advisories extend from central Colorado to Virginia. As a result of the storms, motorists along the I-64 and I-70 corridors should expect roads to be snow-packed and slippery. The Missouri Department of Transportation urges extreme caution with possible totals of 12 inches of snow in the St. Louis region.
- To check Missouri road conditions, please go to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. The map is also available as a free app for Apple and Android devices.
- Dial 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a MoDOT customer service representative about road conditions 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- And you can find more information on the storm predictions from The National Weather Service online.
Segment 2
Virginia intends to pursue tolling to pay for Interstate 81 improvements. Mary McKenna gets a different view from Dale Bennett, president and CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association. Also: Despite a national truck parking shortage, more states are closing rest areas. Jason Tiller of the Indiana DOT explains why that state is closing four more. OOIDA President and CEO Todd Spencer discusses the Association’s lawsuit against Indiana over truck toll increases on the state’s toll road. And truckers have made a big dent in the war on human trafficking. Mary gets an update from Kendis Paris, Executive Director Truckers Against Trafficking.
- Learn more about the Virginia toll plan:
- Learn more about OOIDA’s lawsuit in Indiana:
- Get more information about the Truckers Against Trafficking fund-raiser: Kenworth to auction truck to benefit Truckers Against Trafficking.
Segment 3
Jon Osburn remains on some mandatory R and R, but he’s still hearing from truckers about issues ranging from weather problems and reefer rates to confusion over UCR. I’ll talk with the man who drives the Spirit of the American Trucker.
- See Jon’s full schedule, “The Spirit” Schedule.
Segment 4
A Senate committee chairman is changing the focus of some panels that deal with trucking issues. Mark Reddig explores with Jay Grimes of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office. Also, Democrats have made some new appointments in the U.S. House.
- It’s never too late to share your views with lawmakers. You can do that at FightingForTruckers.com.
- To call members of Congress, dial 202-224-3121.
- Read OOIDA’s Guide to Contacting Lawmakers.
