Here are five things worth knowing today:
1. Truck lane opens on Anzalduas Bridge
A southbound lane for truck traffic opened on the Anzalduas International Bridge in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley this week, KRGV reports. According to the report, bridge officials say the project is set to bring in $800,000 a year in toll revenue. Officials are now waiting to see how many trucks will start using the bridge, which previously accommodated only passenger traffic. KRGV has more.
2. New Mass Pike tolling system set for Oct. 28
CBS Boston reports that on Oct. 28 the Massachusetts Department of Transportation plans to use an all-electric tolling system along the Massachusetts Turnpike. That means that commuters will no longer be able to pay cash and toll booths will begin to disappear, according to the report. “The hope is that congestion will eventually ease along the Pike because drivers won’t have to slow down and cram through crowded tolls,” CBS reports. MassDOT urges drivers to obtain a free E-ZPass transponder before Oct. 28 as receiving an invoice in the mail will come with a premium. CBS Boston has more.
3. New trucking app to unveil its platform at GATS
HaulHound, a free app that allows truck drivers to post their empty capacity so shippers can find and fill empty trucks, is unveiling its platform this week at the Great America Trucking Show in Dallas, according to Digital Journal. According to the company, HaulHound’s goal is “to provide a better way to post and book empty trucks.” Digital Journal has more.
4. CT truckers get diesel tax break
Connecticut’s state diesel tax fell 17% from 50.3 cents per gallon to 41.7 cents, the Hartford Courant reports. The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut’s president Joseph Sculley told the Courant that the lower transportation costs will assist a “wide range of retail goods that are transported to stores by truck.” Though the tax is down, Connecticut still ranks high – with only Pennsylvania and Washington ahead of it, according to the report.
5. Driving up 3.3% in first half of 2016
Traffic volume reports released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) show that U.S. driving reached 1.58 trillion miles in the first six months of 2016, according to FHWA. That beats the previous record of 1.54 trillion miles, which was set last year, according to the agency.
