The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has now recognized Barkey as its newest Highway Angel, honoring her courage and quick thinking.

A Night That Changed Everything

The incident happened late in the evening on June 18 near Mount Vernon, Illinois, as Barkey was heading toward her company’s terminal.

“I stopped on the side of the road because no one had stopped,” Barkey said. “The truck was smoking when I got there, and you could smell fuel.”

She immediately put her hazards on to avoid creating more danger, then called 911.

Breaking Through to Save a Life

“The driver was stuck in there,” Barkey said. “I happened to have a mag light flashlight in my hand, so I beat the window until I got it busted open, and then he was able to kick it out. Of course, I called 911 during all of this, and I stayed on the scene until the officer told me I was good to go. I’m just glad he was okay.”

Her quick actions helped prevent a bad situation from escalating, demonstrating the importance of staying calm under pressure and being willing to take action.

Recognized as a Highway Angel

The TCA Highway Angel program highlights professional drivers who go above and beyond to help others in critical situations. Barkey’s story is now part of a long tradition of truckers proving that the industry is about much more than moving freight — it’s about protecting lives.

For more stories of truckers recognized as Highway Angels, visit the Truckload Carriers Association’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Heather Barkey (Source: TCA)

The post Trucker Honored as TCA Highway Angel After Rescuing Crash Victim appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This closure is part of a modernization and reconstruction project led by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. The initiative includes a complete overhaul of the Stroud service plaza, with updates to the McDonald’s and Love’s Travel Stop facilities. While parking will be unavailable during construction, food, fuel, and restroom amenities will still be accessible on site.

Once renovations are complete, the service area will provide more than 150 truck parking spaces—a significant increase of 50 spaces. This improvement was detailed in a report from The Oklahoman.

For now, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority advises truck drivers to plan ahead and secure alternative parking solutions for long-haul stops.

Meanwhile, a separate $38.5 million project will realign westbound lanes of the Turner Turnpike. Expected to finish in early 2026, this construction aligns with the other ongoing road updates in the area.

Lane Reductions and Restrictions on I-24 Bridge

Truck and passenger vehicles traveling across the I-24 bridge spanning the Ohio River—between Paducah, Kentucky, and Metropolis, Illinois—should prepare for significant lane reductions beginning Monday, March 3.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has confirmed that the bridge will be limited to a single lane in each direction to accommodate infrastructure upgrades. Planned improvements include a new deck overlay, expansion joint replacements, and structural steel repairs. Temporary concrete barriers will also be installed along the centerline.

Further restrictions come into play for heavy and oversized vehicles. The bridge will have a 15-ton weight limit and will remain closed to truck traffic altogether. Height and width limits will also apply, barring vehicles wider than 8 feet or taller than 9 feet, 6 inches.

Motorists are encouraged to consider alternate state routes to avoid congestion, particularly during rush hours.

According to IDOT, these lane restrictions will remain in effect until mid-October 2025. Additional updates regarding further traffic limitations are expected to follow. Completion of the $38 million bridge enhancement project is anticipated by 2027.

Source: Land Line

The post Stroud Service Plaza Truck Parking Closure on Turner Turnpike appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The order grants motor carriers and drivers in these areas exemptions from the standard maximum driving time when they are directly involved in relief operations. This includes the transportation of critical fuels such as propane, heating oil, gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and heating fuel to the affected regions.

Initially issued on January 10, the emergency declaration addresses challenges posed by severe winter storms and freezing temperatures. These extreme weather conditions have heightened fuel demands while creating significant obstacles in the distribution process.

What Does “Direct Assistance” Mean?

Under the FMCSA’s directive, “direct assistance” refers to transportation and relief services provided by motor carriers or drivers that play a key role in the immediate restoration of essential supplies or services. However, this does not cover transportation intended for long-term recovery beyond the initial emergency phase or for reconstructing damaged infrastructure. Additionally, routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with only minimal emergency supplies, do not qualify for the exemptions provided.

Motor carriers or drivers who have been issued an out-of-service order are also not permitted to operate under the declaration until they meet all applicable conditions.

Returning to Normal Operations

Once emergency relief activities conclude, carriers and drivers must comply with standard driving time regulations while operating commercial vehicles. However, drivers can return empty to their terminal or their usual work reporting location without additional restrictions.

If a driver transitions from emergency relief efforts back to normal operations, they must take a 10-hour rest period if their total time engaged in relief efforts or combined relief and everyday driving exceeds 14 hours.

Additional State Declarations

Several states have also implemented their own emergency declarations to provide motor carriers and drivers with additional relief measures tailored to specific regional needs. To learn more about these state-level declarations, detailed information is available here.

Source: Land Line

The post FMCSA Expands Emergency Declaration to More States appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The renowned Iowa 80 Truckstop, strategically placed along Interstate 80 in Walcott, Eastern Iowa, proudly claims its status as the world’s largest truck stop. Currently, the establishment remains skeptical that a new 30-acre truck stop in Dundee, Illinois, will dethrone them.

Is Chicago’s Suburb the New Host of the World’s Largest Truck Stop?

Recent plans from Outpost, a Texas-based company, announce a substantial 30-acre development off Interstate 90 in West Dundee, Illinois. With proposed capacity for 1,000 semi-trailer trucks, some media sources speculate this new site could assume the title of the “world’s largest truck stop.”

Executive Delia Meier from Iowa 80 expresses her doubts:

“They haven’t built it yet, so you could say anything you want to,” remarks Delia Meier, an executive and senior vice president of the Iowa 80 Group Inc., casting doubt on the claims surrounding the new facility.

Meier continues, “They say it’s a 30-acre site, and they’re going to put 1,000 truck parking spots on it. You’re not going to be able to put that on 30 acres.”

The Iowa 80 Truckstop, celebrating its milestone of 60 years in operation, offers expansive parking for 900 semis across 220 acres. Unlike its Illinois counterpart, it features a wealth of amenities.

“We have nine restaurants, 24 private showers,” Meier elaborates. “There’s a chiropractor, there’s a barbershop, a dentist — everything we could think of is here, and we’ve got some more ideas.”

The Distinctive Model of West Dundee’s Facility

The upcoming West Dundee project, set on a repurposed landfill, deviates from traditional truck stop models, functioning instead as a dedicated space for truckers to park trailers and prepare for outgoing loads. The facility lacks the fueling stations, shops, and dining options that attract over 5,000 visitors daily to Iowa 80.

“It’s not a truck stop,” Meier asserts. “It’s a trailer lot. I think they’ve got a good model, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the world’s largest truck stop.”

A Legacy of Innovation and Family Leadership

The Iowa 80 Truckstop has a rich history, founded by Bill Moon in 1964 when he was a regional manager for Standard Oil. He purchased the truck stop in 1984, continually enhancing its services and amenities. Today, it features a truck museum and hosts an annual truckers’ jamboree, maintaining its vibrant community spirit.

Moon’s passing in 1992 did not halt the legacy; family members have continued to lead, keeping the business family-owned and expanding operations to include other locations in Joplin, Missouri, and Kenly, North Carolina.

Reflecting on current challenges, Meier observes, “Trucking is going through a very tough time right now. Right now, rates are terrible, and we can only do as well as our customers.”

The Iowa 80 Truckstop stands firm in its position, awaiting any challenge to its long-held title with skepticism.

Source: The Gazette

The post Could Illinois Home the Biggest Truck Stop Worldwide? appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Expansion Details

• Chicago, IL: The 30-acre site located at 70 Airport Road in West Dundee will provide over 1,000 semi-truck parking spots, boosting Illinois’ truck parking capacity by nearly 9%.

• Fort Lauderdale, FL: Located at 12754 Wiles Road in Coral Springs, this 14-acre facility offers 370 parking spaces, serving as an entry point to the Southeast U.S. and Latin American markets.

• Fontana, CA: Outpost’s first California yard at 15122 Ceres Avenue encompasses 4.5 acres with close to 100 parking spaces, ideal for logistics operations throughout Southern California.

• Laredo, TX: The 11-acre yard at 18702 Metropolitan Rd, close to significant border crossings, provides 320 spaces, facilitating smooth cross-border trade with Mexico.

“As our network continues to expand, motor carriers increasingly look to Outpost as a strategic partner for positioning their fleets, improving asset visibility, and optimizing their real estate investments,” said Trent Cameron, Outpost co-founder and CEO. “This can only be accomplished through our combination of purpose-built technology and the operational expertise of managing yards at scale. Our four new properties strengthen our ability to help these fleets operate more efficiently in critical freight corridors across the US.” To reserve a space or learn more about the facilities, visit Outpost’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

The post Outpost Takes a Big Step Forward with New Facilities and 1,700 New Truck Parking Spaces! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Estes Express Lines, a top player in the logistics sector has significantly expanded its operational network by acquiring seven former Yellow Transportation terminals. This strategic move underscores Estes’ commitment to enhancing operational capacity and improving service for its customers.

2024 Expansion Overview

In 2024, Estes has achieved a major milestone by increasing its terminal capacity by 508 doors, marking a 4.5% growth from the previous year. The company’s total door count now stands at 11,832, with plans to add 940 more doors within the next nine months. This expansion includes the acquisition of 29 terminals and the assumption of 10 leases from Yellow Transportation. Key new locations include Charlotte, NC; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Rockford, IL; South Bend, IN; and Eugene, OR.

“These acquisitions demonstrate our ongoing investment in resources to boost capacity and better serve our customers,” said Webb Estes, President and COO. He praised the team for the swift integration of these new assets, which include hundreds of shipping containers and trailers.

Growth of Network and Fleet

The recent acquisition has bolstered Estes’ coast-to-coast network with the addition of 290 new doors. The Charlotte terminal, now the largest in the network with 275 doors, highlights the scale of this expansion. Alongside increasing terminal capacity, Estes has also expanded its fleet, acquiring 6,800 additional trailers this year, bringing its total fleet to over 45,000.

This expansion reaffirms Estes’ commitment to scaling operations and enhancing service delivery, solidifying its position in the competitive logistics and transportation industry.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

Image: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Estes Expands Terminal Network with Seven Former Yellow Locations appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias recently announced that Illinois residents applying for a CDL can now access a Spanish study guide and take the written test in Spanish.

“This change will help qualified individuals whose primary language is Spanish to become licensed drivers and will help us address school bus and truck driver shortages across the state while maintaining stringent testing standards,” Giannoulias said. “Offering the CDL test in Spanish is one of the many steps our office is taking to ensure our services are as accessible and inclusive as possible.”

This initiative aims to boost the number of school bus drivers and agricultural workers who rely on temporary labor. It also makes it easier for non-English speakers to understand the technical details included in the CDL test, without changing the core testing standards.

“Applicants must still complete their road test and pre-trip inspection in English as applicants must understand basic verbal instructions to comply with federal guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration,” according to the Illinois secretary of state’s office. “All CDL applicants must have U.S. citizenship, legal permanent residency status or be a nondomiciled driver.”

Brian Duncan, President of the Illinois Farm Bureau, commented on the ongoing challenges earlier this year. “From locating qualified truck drivers to haul grain, to sourcing enough hands to pick vegetables or manage livestock, the shortage of links in the transportation and agricultural supply chains continues to undermine food access and threaten the financial health of farms in Illinois and nationwide.”

In July 2024, Illinois had 378,500 licensed CDL drivers. This move follows Maryland’s decision in May to offer CDL testing in Spanish, joining over 20 states like Virginia, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) began offering the CDL knowledge test in Spanish to better serve its diverse population. State Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld mentioned, “to be more inclusive, accessible and convenient for Maryland’s diverse population.” By May, Maryland had 114,000 valid CDL holders.

Christine Nizer, Motor Vehicle Administrator, explained the reasoning behind this change. “We recognize that individuals may feel more comfortable reading in their native language, especially when those materials include technical information,” she said. “Offering the CDL knowledge test in Spanish removes potential barriers to obtaining a CDL which supports the critical needs in moving goods throughout Maryland and our country and enhancing safety on our roadways.”

Maryland State Delegate Deni Taveras initiated this change by approaching the MVA at the start of the year. The MVA then collaborated with its software vendor to add the Spanish language option and began the implementation process.

Taveras highlighted the importance of addressing income disparities in Maryland. “In Prince George’s County and across Maryland, we must address the income disparity where new Americans earn $17,000 less than the average U.S.-born citizen. This wage gap is evident not only in Prince George’s County but also statewide. We need to bridge this divide,” Taveras remarked. “Individuals with CDL licenses are more likely to be making a living wage for themselves and for their families. We also have a shortage of school bus drivers, and this industry is always in need of new drivers. Therefore, these licenses will address this transportation need as well.”

This initiative is a significant step towards making CDL testing more inclusive, addressing the growing demand for licensed drivers, and supporting the broader community in both Illinois and Maryland.

Source: Transport Topics

The post Illinois Introduces Spanish-Language CDL Tests to Address Driver Shortages appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.