Operations

Your Dec. 3 Pre-Trip: House takes on highway bill

Dec. 3, 2015

The House is expected to vote today on the $305 billion highway spending plan that was introduced earlier this week, The Hill reports.

Cristina Commendatore

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. The House is expected to vote today on the $305 billion highway spending plan that was introduced earlier this week, The Hill reports. The bill, to be paid for with gas tax revenue and a package of $70 billion in offsets from the federal budget, will cover federal transportation projects over the next five years. According to a Reuters report, a spokesperson from the White House said President Barack Obama would sign the long-term bill if passed.2. A proposal that would allow tractor-trailers traveling from I-95 in Connecticut to Long Island’s North Fork via the Cross Island Sound Ferry has been nixed. According to The Suffolk Times, the proposal faced opposition earlier this year, and in April, it was dropped from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council’s Regional Freight Plan, but remained in the U.S. DOT’s freight plan. It was officially dropped from the federal plan in November. The proposal would have allowed 3,000 additional trucks to travel from I-95 in Connecticut to Long Island on the ferry with the idea of reducing congestion on New York’s roadways.3. Houff Transfer in Weyers Cave, VA, started a “move over” campaign back in 2009 that raises safety awareness for first responders and those who work on the roads. According to WHSV, this year, the company made 100 “move over” bumper stickers urging drivers to change lanes or slow down for emergency vehicles and to cautiously pass emergency responders and workers when they are on the side of the road. 4. The Capitol Christmas Tree has arrived safely to the U.S. Capitol from Alaska, according to the DOT’s Fast Lane blog. After three weeks and 10 stops, Lynden Transport driver John Schank completed the 3,000-mile journey and delivered the 74-ft. Lutz spruce to the Capitol. Lutz said he was “elated and felt privileged to be asked to do this.” Fast Lane has more.5. Ryder was named the 2015 Trucking Company of the Year at the 2015 Southwest & Midcontinent Oil & Gas Awards ceremony in Houston, TX, Machinery and Equipment announced. The Oil & Gas Awards recognizes organizations that “are leaders in their areas of expertise that support the oil and gas industry.”

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.