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 TA Locations

Cowpens, South Carolina

The new TA site in Cowpens, located at 175 Truck Stop Road, offers a variety of amenities:

• Quick-Serve Restaurant: Sbarro (Opening in September)
• Convenience Store: A wide range of hot and cold beverages, snacks, and merchandise.
• Fueling Options: 6 diesel fueling positions, including Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).
• Truck Parking: Accommodates 80 trucks.
• Private Showers: 6 showers available for drivers.
• Laundry Facilities: Convenient for extended stays.
• Driver’s Lounge: A comfortable resting area.
• Game Room: Entertainment options for travelers.
• Truck Service: Two service bays for maintenance and repairs.

Coburg, Oregon

Located at 32910 E. Pearl St., the new Coburg TA site includes:

• Full-Serve Restaurant: Coburg Crossing Café featuring an Iron Skillet menu.
• Convenience Store: Offers a selection of hot and cold beverages, snacks, and various merchandise.
• Fueling Options: 8 diesel fueling positions with DEF.
• Truck Parking: Space for 100 trucks.
• Private Showers: 8 showers for drivers.
• Laundry Facilities: Available for drivers.
• Truck Service: Three service bays for repairs.
• Truck Wash: On-site truck washing services.
• Driver’s Lounge: A comfortable area for drivers to rest.

Nevada Locations

TA Express in Henderson, Nevada

The new TA Express site at 1550 Railroad Pass Casino Road offers:

• Quick-Serve Restaurant: Capriati’s.
• Fueling Options: 7 diesel lanes with DEF.
• Truck Parking: Over 200 paved spaces.
• Reserve-It Parking: 20 reserved spots for trucks.
• Private Showers: 5 showers available.
• CAT Scale: For accurate weight checks.

Petro Travel Center in Henderson, Nevada

The Petro site located at 1700 Railroad Pass, Casino Road, features:

• Quick-Serve Restaurants: Sonic and Dunkin.
• Fueling Options: 7 diesel lanes, all equipped with DEF.
• Truck Parking: More than 100 paved spaces.
• Reserve-It Parking: 10 reserved parking spots.
• Private Showers: 5 showers for drivers.
• Laundry Facilities: Available for drivers.
• Truck Wash: On-site washing services.

With these new additions, TravelCenters of America strengthens its ability to serve travelers with top-notch facilities and services. Whether you need a meal, fuel, or a place to rest, TA’s expanded network is prepared to meet your needs.

Source: Truckers News

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“Wildfires are active across Oregon and are growing at a concerning pace. Hot and windy conditions this weekend, including forecasted lightning in some areas, are threatening even larger wildfires,” Kotek said. “I am declaring a state of emergency to access state resources for communities across Oregon as we respond to this year’s escalating wildfire season.”

Due to this declaration, the hours-of-service regulations (Parts 395.3 and 395.5) under 49 CFR 390.23(b) will be suspended for motor carriers or drivers engaged in emergency relief operations. This relief period extends for the duration of the emergency or 14 days from the initial declaration, whichever is shorter.

Motor carriers or drivers currently under a suspension order must fulfill the necessary conditions for rescission before benefiting from this exemption. Additionally, the exemption remains valid only as long as direct emergency assistance is ongoing.

Motor carriers and drivers are still subject to controlled substances and alcohol testing mandates (49 CFR Part 382), commercial driver’s license standards (49 CFR Part 383), insurance requirements (49 CFR Part 387), operating authority rules (49 CFR Part 365), and other non-exempt regulations. All vehicles involved must comply with size and weight restrictions and adhere to scale facility requirements when directed, unless the vehicle is engaged in emergency response using red warning lights and/or sirens. If stopped, emergency status should be communicated to enforcement personnel.

Oregon Department of Transportation Director Kris Strickler has issued an emergency waiver outlining these stipulations.

“Throughout the summer, it will inevitably get hotter and drier, presenting an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfires,” Kotek added. “The best way to limit wildfire impacts on our communities, natural areas, and first responders is to be aware of the conditions and prevent wildfires from starting. I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions.”

Source: The Trucker

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In a settlement filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, the Department of Transportation and other federal agencies have committed to replanting trees and supporting the rebuilding of an altar. The site, known as the Place of Big Big Trees, was home to a burial ground, historic campground, medicinal plants, old-growth Douglas Firs, and a stone altar.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have fought tirelessly to protect this site since a 2008 highway project caused its destruction. Now, with this settlement, they hope to prevent similar incidents in the future, preserving Native American heritage and sacred lands.

“Our sacred places may not look like the buildings where most Americans worship, but they deserve the same protection, dignity, and respect,” said Carol Logan, an elder and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in a statement shared by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the plaintiffs in their lawsuit.

The Federal Highway Administration, Department of the Interior, and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation were all named as defendants in a recent lawsuit. The case involved the destruction of a sacred site, deeply significant to Logan and Wilbur Slockish of the Yakama Nation.

Alleging violations of their religious freedom and the National Historic Preservation Act, the Slockish brothers expressed their disappointment at the loss of a location where they had long prayed, gathered sacred plants, and honored their ancestors.

In a settlement reached after years of legal proceedings, the government has agreed to take several steps to rectify the damage done. This includes planting and maintaining nearly 30 trees on the site, as well as restoring a stone altar and providing cultural access to the surrounding area for the Slockish brothers.

Additionally, the government will install a sign explaining the site’s importance to Native Americans, ensuring its significance is recognized by all who visit.

Source: The Trucker

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These truck stop chapels are the work of Glenn Cope, an 80-year-old former long haul trucker who came up with the idea decades ago after he’d been driving for more than 35 years and saw the need for a spiritual oasis for those on the road.

In 1987, Cope convinced a truck stop operator who was located about 35, miles outside of Dayton, Ohio, which is where Cope lived at the time, to donate a room for a chapel. When the chapel was in place, Cope contacted a local church and was able to get volunteers to hold drop-in services a few times a week.

Seeing how well it went in Dayton, Cope found himself wanting to spread this idea further.

“I started one in Kentucky,” he said. “Then all over the place. A driver would tell me someone was building a new truck stop, or I’d visit an existing stop during my runs and give my pitch.”

The Troutdale chapel has been around for more than 25 years, starting when the truck stop was owned by Burns, Bros. The company paid for electricity and maintenance and allowed this addition at other sites as well. When the company sold to Travel Centers of America, the partnership continued.

Even though Cope is the founder and original driving force, there is no official leader, no central office, or board of directors. Each chapel is run at a local level and no money is collected. The only mission is to help truckers.

“There are a lot of problems and frustrations out on the road,” Cope said. “Sometimes, the only thing that might help a driver comes from the spiritual side.”

After his vision began to deteriorate, Cope retired from trucking, but continued to travel to help these truck stop chapels. Eventually, he was no longer able to do this either.

“My health changed,” he said. “At my age, I just can’t do the things I used to do.”

However, things soon fell into place for Cope. He and his wife had been longing to move closer to family, when a truck stop in Aurora needed a chaplain. With this location an easy drive from his daughter in Vancouver, it made perfect sense. He and his wife now live at the Aurora Travel Center in their 56-foot trailer.

“My wish,” he said, “is that I draw my last breath in that chapel.”

Two years ago, the chaplain at the Troutdale location passed away after running the place for 20 years. Cope stopped in, despite the taxing schedule, holding services in both Aurora and Troutdale until a replacement could be found.

It didn’t take long for Cope to meet Greg Johnson who lives in Troutdale with his wife of 52 years. Johnson, standing at 6ft 5 and a solid 275 at 71 years old, is a presence among any group of truckers.

“Greg wanted to help out,” said Cope. “He did such a good job that it’s now his chapel.”

The Troutdale chapel doesn’t boast any pews, choir, or collection plate. Johnson and his wife, Cyndy, put out small signs in the back of the truck stop when they arrive to let truckers know the chapel is open. They hold regular services on Sundays and Wednesdays.

“Sometimes no one shows up,” Johnson said. “It is what it is. My goal is not numbers, I’m just here.””

The Troutdale truck stop chapel is non-denominational, with a focus on learning and discussing the Bible. Everything in the room is free, food candy, coffee, and the bible.

“Church has always been a part of my life,” says Johnson. “I like sharing God’s word, it’s rewarding, and I feel blessed,”

“We have all kinds of truckers come in here,” he said. “Different denominations and faiths. But we are all brothers.”

He noted that he and his wife never quite now what to expect from their time spent at the chapel.

We had a man stop in who was down on his luck,” he said. “He was from Arizona and knew nothing about the Bible but wanted one. We gave him a bilingual Bible.

“Sometimes we see a person once and then not again for six months,” he continued. “We’ve had truckers come in to debate about God or ask questions.”

He noted that truckers stop at the chapel for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s for answers, sometimes, a request for a prayer, and sometime, it’s just dealing with a lonely or hard day.

“Sickness, dealing with difficult times in their lives,” said Greg Johnson. “It’s a lonely life sitting in that truck 10 hours a day.”

On the table are stacks of prayer cards that truckers can fill out before they leave.

Please pray for my son, one says.

To get a good job that is closer to my home, another asks.

Someday I want a good wife.

The chapel has seen visitors from all over the United States and beyond.

“We don’t always believe the same way,” he said. “We agree to disagree, and that’s OK.”

Source: OregonLive

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