Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. Freightliner announced it will lay off nearly 800 workers in Gaston County, NC, as part of an international reduction in workforce, according to a WCNC report. About 600 workers will be laid off at the Mount Holly plant on July 1, and 200 workers at a parts and logistics plant in Gastonia will be let go on June 24, a spokesperson for Freightliner’s parent company, Daimler Trucks North America, told media outlets. According to the company, the layoffs will be temporary. WCNC has more. 2. Today, the American Trucking Assns. expressed appreciation to professional truck drivers, dispatchers, technicians and other members of the trucking industry for their commitment to improving highway safety. Noting that June is National Safety Month, ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said the industry spends more than $7 billion annually on safety-related training, technology and equipment. According to ATA, since 2004, truck-involved fatal crashes are down 21%. 3. The 8 Mile Road Bridge over northbound US-23 in Michigan will be reopening ahead of schedule, CBS 62 Detroit reports. The bridge had to be demolished following a crash involving a truck that slammed into it on March 10. The Michigan Department of Transportation initially expected the bridge would reopen by July 4, but opening is now set for Wednesday. 4. Ontario, Canada, will spend up to $100 million to help natural gas suppliers create more fueling stations to encourage trucks to use more alternative fuels instead of diesel or gasoline, Global News Canada reports. According to the report, the move to expand the use of natural gas for trucks is part of the government’s action plan on climate change. Global news adds that there is some interest in the trucking industry to switch to natural gas, “but truckers want to see a province-wide network of fueling stations.”5. A San Antonio police officer is accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes from trucking company Texas Chrome Transport Inc., KVUE ABC reports. Daniel Schmitt is accused of taking $7,400 since 2013 in exchange for giving passing or favorable TXDOT safety inspections, the report notes. KVUE has more.
