During the unveiling event, Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America, shared why this kind of outreach matters. “Engaging with children and the greater community through this interactive display allows for a better understanding of trucking’s vital role in the economy,” he said. He also added, “Volvo Trucks’ North American headquarters is based in Greensboro, and it is very important for us to invest in the communities in which we are located. We also hope this display will encourage some children to pursue the many different career opportunities available to them in the trucking industry.”

For drivers who have spent years behind the wheel, the idea of a full-sized VNL 840 inside a museum might sound surprising, but Volvo has supported the museum for more than a decade. The new truck replaces a VNL 670 that has been on display since 2012.

The exhibit lets kids walk through the cab and the sleeper, which gives them a clearer sense of what long-haul life looks like. Many visitors will be seeing the inside of a real truck for the first time. Volvo described the new VNL line as “a next-generation long-haul truck designed to set new industry standards in safety, fuel efficiency, and driver comfort. Featuring a completely reimagined cab, advanced aerodynamics, and cutting-edge connectivity, the VNL delivers an optimized driving and resting experience tailored to the needs of professional drivers.” The VNL 840 includes a premium 74-inch sleeper, and the model brings up to ten percent better fuel efficiency compared with the previous version through aerodynamic changes and powertrain updates.

Joe Rieke, president and CEO of the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, sees the truck as more than a display. “We know from experience that when kids have the chance to merge their imagination with real-world experiences, incredible things happen,” he said. “This partnership with Volvo Group North America allows us to do exactly that. We’re thrilled to give our community a chance to play and engage with technology that moves the world, designed right here in Greensboro.”

For professional drivers, the exhibit means the next generation will grow up with a better understanding of the work behind every shipment. It shows trucking as a high-skilled career and highlights the technology and comfort built into modern trucks. It also strengthens community recognition at a time when freight workers are often overlooked.

Source: The Trucker

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The emergency declaration, which dates back to October, was initially renewed on November 8. The latest extension accommodates the specific requests from each state, with the new expiration dates as follows:

• Florida: December 2

• Georgia: December 11

• North Carolina: December 26

• Tennessee: December 26

This extension primarily benefits those involved in transporting essential supplies or operating utility service vehicles to restore critical services. Importantly, drivers providing direct assistance to hurricane recovery efforts are eligible for the relief, regardless of their trip’s origin.

Restrictions and Updates on Travel

Several roads in western North Carolina and Tennessee remain restricted to essential travel only. Additionally, vehicles longer than 30 feet are still prohibited on some routes.

While major road construction projects in North Carolina are paused for the Thanksgiving weekend, portions of key highways like Interstate 26 and Interstate 40 are still closed. Drivers planning trips in the area should proceed with caution.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee, has forecast potential snow accumulations and freezing conditions over the weekend, adding further challenges to travel in these regions.

Need Assistance?

For updates on road closures, routing assistance, or emergency declarations by state, the FMCSA has detailed resources available on its website.

Stay safe and informed as recovery efforts continue.

Source: Land Line

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Hurricane Helene has left significant damage across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. While the storm has moved on, the work to rebuild and restore continues. Here’s an update on ongoing efforts, road safety, and resources available to those affected.

North Carolina’s Relief Operations

Western North Carolina remains focused on search and rescue efforts, with teams dedicated to re-establishing essential services and delivering necessary supplies. Governor Roy Cooper underscores the extensive coordination involved, stating, “The response to this crisis so far has been a massive effort of coordination and logistics.” He further noted, “As emergency responders continue search and rescue operations in Western North Carolina, local, state, federal, private and non-profit partners continue to work in concert to provide food, water, shelter and other basic necessities for people in need.”

Travel in the region is hazardous, with approximately 400 roads closed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) advises avoiding non-essential travel to aid recovery efforts and ensure emergency operations proceed smoothly. Resources deployed include over 1,500 employees, more than 1,500 trucks/graders/backhoes/loaders, 1,000 chainsaws, and over 8,000 barricades and signs.

NCDOT has also coordinated with the NC National Guard for ground operations and air drops. FEMA has begun distributing trailers filled with food and water. Over 20,000 residents have registered for assistance.

Shelters are available at:

• Biltmore Baptist Church, Buncombe County, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, NC 28704

• Grace Community Church, McDowell County, 5182 Highway 70 West, Marion, NC 28752

• First Baptist Church, Watauga County, 375 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607

To date, there have been over 440 rescues and about 4,700 evacuations. The confirmed death toll stands at 42, with expectations it may rise. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies or to report missing persons, contact NC 211 at 1-888-892-1162. For further updates, email the North Carolina Joint Information Center at ncempio@ncdps.gov or call 919-825-2599. Additional resources are available at ncdps.gov/helene.

Recovery in Tennessee

Governor Bill Lee recently toured East Tennessee to survey the storm’s damage, highlighting the community’s resilience. “Maria and I are deeply saddened by the loss of life and severe flood damage in East Tennessee,” he said. “We continue to pray alongside Tennesseans as we endure this heartbreaking tragedy.”

With numerous roads and bridges impacted in Upper East Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) warns that all routes should be treated as hazardous. Key structures like the Washingotn SR-81 Nolichucky River Bridge, Washington SR-353 Nolichucky River Bridge, Greene SR-107 Nolichucky River Bridge, Unicoi I-26 Bridge @MM 39.6 Eastbound, Unicoi I-26 Bridge @MM 39.6 Westbound face long-term closures due to extensive damage.

TDOT has mobilized around 400 team members to restore critical infrastructure, ensuring access to hospitals and shelters. For real-time updates, visit SmartWay or call 511.

Georgia’s Path to Recovery

Georgia’s recovery efforts focus on clearing debris and restoring road safety. Numerous routes are blocked by debris or downed power lines, and over 100 traffic signals, mainly in Lowndes County, were damaged. Scott Chambers, GDOT Southwest District Engineer, reassured, “We’re in pretty good shape.” Crews are actively clearing routes and restoring signals, with temporary stop signs in place at affected intersections.

Residents should treat malfunctioning traffic signals as four-way stops. GDOT is using larger contractor trailers to expedite debris removal. For local street debris removal inquiries, contact your local Emergency Management Agency.

Efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene continue across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Residents are urged to stay informed through local agencies and remain patient as recovery progresses. Visit local emergency management websites for the latest updates and assistance options.

The post Recovery and Travel Advisory for States Impacted by Hurricane Helene 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

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New Store Locations

• Middletown, VA: Located at 121 Confidence Lane, this site features nine dedicated truck lanes and is easily accessible from Interstate 81, exit 302.

• Asheville, NC: This establishment at 5440 Asheville Highway in Hendersonville includes four truck lanes and can be accessed via exit 44 on Interstate 26.

• Warsaw, NC: The store at 2543 W NC 24 Highway boasts five truck lanes, conveniently situated off exit 364 from Interstate 40.

• Romulus, MI: Making its debut in Michigan, this new site at 33380 Wick Road offers four truck lanes and is reachable from exit 197 on Interstate 94.

Sheetz plans to celebrate the grand openings with exciting events at each location. Guests can enjoy free self-serve coffee and soda throughout the day, along with the chance to win various prizes, including a grand prize worth $2,500 for free Sheetz for a year via a gift card. Entry into the prize draw does not require a purchase, though participants must be at least 18 years old and present at the event.

Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation, and each contributor will receive a limited-edition Sheetz-branded thermal bag, one per person.

With over 740 operating locations throughout Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland, Sheetz remains dedicated to serving customers around the clock.

Source: The Trucker

The post Sheetz Introduces New Diesel-Friendly Locations This Month appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Upcoming Locations for Truck Drivers

Here’s a rundown of where these new stores will be strategically located for your convenience:

• Middletown, Virginia: Positioned at 121 Confidence Lane, this location boasts nine dedicated lanes for truck drivers and is easily accessible from Interstate 81 at exit 302.

• Asheville, North Carolina: Found at 5440 Asheville Highway, this store offers four truck-friendly lanes and is located just off Interstate 26 at exit 44.

• Warsaw, North Carolina: Located at 2543 W NC 24 Highway, this new store provides five lanes specifically for truck drivers and can be easily reached from Interstate 40 at exit 364.

• Romulus, Michigan: Marking Sheetz’s inaugural entry into Michigan, this store at 33380 Wick Road features four lanes for truck drivers and is conveniently accessible from Interstate 94 at exit 197.

Celebratory Grand Opening Events

Each store will host an exciting grand opening celebration, complete with free self-serve coffee and soda available to attendees throughout the day. Guests can engage in various activities and prize giveaways, with the main attraction being a chance to win a $2,500 Sheetz gift card, offering “Free Sheetz for a Year.” Visitors are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item, which will be donated to local nonprofits. In return, donors will receive a Sheetz-branded thermal bag, limited to one per customer.

About Sheetz

Sheetz proudly operates over 740 stores across several states, including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Maryland. All locations are open 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring customers have access to essential services at any time.

Truck drivers can check the availability of high-flow diesel fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at other Sheetz locations using the Sheetz mobile app or by visiting the Sheetz website. To find the nearest location catering to specific needs, simply filter the search for “truck diesel” and/or “Bulk DEF.”

Source: The Trucker

The post Sheetz To Open Four Brand-New Stores This August appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

For professional drivers, the store includes 76 truck parking spaces, laundry facilities, diesel lanes with DEF, CAT scales, a dog park, and seven showers. These amenities are intended to provide comfort and convenience, making long-haul journeys more manageable and less stressful. The ample truck parking space ensures that drivers have a secure and spacious area to rest and recharge.

To celebrate the grand opening, Love’s is donating $5,000 to the Rural Hall Elementary School Special Education Program.

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Source: Truckers News

The post Love’s Travel Stops Opens New Location in Rural Hall, NC appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The store, situated at 310 Chicken Foot Rd, will officially open to the public at 9 a.m., with grand opening festivities scheduled for the following day, Friday, Feb. 16. Starting at 9 a.m., multiple prizes, including the grand prize of free Sheetz for a Year, will be awarded during the celebration.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for 10:45 a.m., and as part of the grand opening celebration, the new location will treat customers to free self-serve coffee and soda throughout the day.

To commemorate the occasion, Sheetz will donate $2,500 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina, which serves seven counties in the state.

Additionally, a $2,500 donation will be presented to the Special Olympics of North Carolina.

The store, Sheetz’s 41st with truck diesel fuel lanes, will offer seven lanes with high-flow diesel fuel and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) for semi-trucks, along with 12 fuel terminals for other vehicles.

Furthermore, the location will provide 41 free parking spaces, accommodating overnight stays for truckers. Accessible from I-95’s exit 41, this new Sheetz store enhances the amenities available for truckers in the region.

The post 41 Free Truck Parking Spaces Open Up in North Carolina appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In Michigan, House Bill 4012 aims to address perceived “flaws” in how local roadway speed limits are set. The bill proposes flexibility in rounding down the 85th percentile speed, allowing local officials to set speeds within 5 mph of the 85th percentile. It also eliminates the requirement for an engineering and safety study for speed limit modifications.

New Jersey’s Senate Bill 1652, sponsored by Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, focuses on using the 85th percentile formula to set speed limits on limited access highways. O’Scanlon believes this formula offers a more objective approach than relying on subjective decisions from officials.

In New York, identical bills (S2209 and A5044) propose increasing the speed limit for all vehicles from 65 mph to 70 mph on interstate highways and limited access roads. The change aims to align New York with the speed limits of many other states.

North Carolina’s House Bill 386, carried over from the previous session, seeks to raise the speed limit to 75 mph on certain roadways, provided it is deemed “reasonable and safe” by the state DOT.

Over the past year, Montana and Texas have revised speed limit rules. Montana’s Transportation Commission gained full authority to adjust speed limits throughout the state, while Texas authorized variable speed limits based on engineering and traffic investigations to address specific conditions affecting traffic flow.

As states continue to explore speed limit adjustments, these legislative efforts aim to strike a balance between traffic safety and the evolving dynamics of modern roadways.

Source: Land Line

The post New Speed Limit Rules Enacted in 6 U.S. States appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Under the new law, theft convictions in North Carolina will no longer be uniformly classified as Class I felonies, with a fixed 24-month prison term. Instead, varying penalties will apply based on the value of the stolen cargo over a 90-day period across the state. Stolen cargo ranging from $1,501 to $20,000 will be a Class H felony with a potential 39-month imprisonment. Higher-value thefts, up to $100,000, will escalate to Class C felonies, carrying sentences of up to 231 months in prison. Offenders involved in thefts below $1,500 face a Class I offense.

Additionally, the law enables the seizure and forfeiture of any conveyance used in committing the crime. Senator Danny Britt, R-Robeson, highlighted the law’s focus on combatting retail cargo theft, positioning North Carolina as the eighth-highest state for this crime nationally.

“We are one of the hot spots for cargo theft,” Britt said.

The urgency for stricter penalties is underscored by statistics revealing that nearly 3,000 individuals were charged with a Class I felony related to cargo theft in 2022. The third quarter of 2023 saw a 59% year-over-year increase in cargo theft events across the United States and Canada, amounting to over $31.1 million in stolen shipments. The rise is partially attributed to ongoing shipment misdirection attacks.

“[The attacks are] a kind of strategic cargo theft in which actors use stolen motor carrier and logistics broker identities to obtain freight and misdirect it from the intended receiver so they could steal it,” said CargoNet, a company committed to stopping cargo theft.

The OOIDA, a long-time advocate for tougher penalties in cargo and truck theft cases, welcomes North Carolina’s move and encourages other states to adopt similar measures. Doug Morris, OOIDA Director of Safety Operations, emphasized the Association’s commitment to combating cargo theft through stringent sentencing and penalties.

“Many states continue to overlook the fact that a stolen load of goods could be worth tens of thousands of dollars and, in some cases, hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Morris said. “The new sentencing guidelines for North Carolina will undoubtedly be a deterrent for cargo-theft thieves. … Lawmakers should also include theft via fraudulent brokers, but many states do not understand the complexities to the fraudulent broker scheme.”

Source: Land Line

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