Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024:
Diesel prices hit nearly 3-year low
Prices at the pump have fallen to their lowest point for truck owners since the fall of 2021, according to the latest weekly update from the Energy Information Administration.
EIA this week reported that the U.S.’ national average for a gallon of on-highway diesel is $3.56 a gallon during the week ending Sept. 9. The last time diesel’s average was lower than that was the week ending Oct. 4, 2021, when the national average sat at $3.48/gal.
Diesel prices have been on a steady decline since mid-summer, with prices falling by 31 cents over the last nine weeks.
During the most recent week, fuel prices were down in all regions across the U.S., with the largest decrease being seen in the Midwest, where prices fell by 8.5 cents, followed by the Gulf Coast region, where prices fell by 7.5 cents.
California continues to hold the nation’s highest fuel prices by a long shot, being the only place in the nation with an average higher than $4/gal. California’s diesel prices averaged $4.74 during the last week. The next-highest region is New England, where prices averaged $3.87/gal.
National average spot market rates during the same week, according to the weekly update from FTR Transportation Intelligence and Truckstop.com, nudged up slightly after having jumped the prior week.
With the shortened Labor Day week, total load activity fell off 14.8% from the prior week, FTR/Truckstop noted, not a particularly large decrease given the short week. But postings were about 11% below the same week last year, and a whopping 34% below the five-year average for the week. Rates gained less than a cent overall, but were slightly down for dry vans and reefers, and up for flatbeds. The current week (week 37) historically is consistently weaker for spot rates than week 36 for all equipment types.
The cheapest fuel around the nation can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.19/gal., followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $3.51.
Prices in other regions, according to EIA:
- Central Atlantic — $3.85
- Midwest — $3.53
- Rocky Mountain — $3.57
- West Coast less California — $3.84
ProMiles’ diesel average during the same week showed prices fall by 3.6 cents to $3.61 a gallon.
According to the ProMiles Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.83 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.28 per gallon.
I-95 lane closures planned over next two weekends
During the next two weekends — Sept. 13-16 and Sept. 20-23 — the Rhode Island Department of Transportation will close two lanes of I-95 South near the Elmwood Avenue/Route 1 off-ramp (exit 34) in Providence for the rapid replacement of the Elmwood Avenue bridge.
RIDOT strongly suggests that travelers use alternate routes such as Route 10 and I-295 on both weekends and plan additional time for travel.
This rapid approach to bridge replacement saves motorists more than two years of lane closures, shifts and splits, RIDOT said. This is the fourth rapid bridge installation RIDOT has completed since the middle of August.
Each weekend, the lane closures will allow RIDOT to demolish and replace different parts of the structurally deficient bridge. The SB portion of the bridge will be done on these two weekends in September, and similar lane closures are planned later in the fall for the NB portion. The bridge is one of the busiest sections of I-95 and carries 130,000 vehicles per day.
The closures start each weekend at 8 p.m. on Fridays with all lanes open by 5 a.m. Monday morning. Additionally, the high-speed lane on I-95 NB will be closed during these times.
Starting Wednesday morning, September 11 and for the week of September 16-20, there will be a lane split on I-95 SB at the bridge with two lanes on either side of the work zone. Drivers should not stop or suddenly change lanes at the split. This unsafe behavior will cause traffic delays and could lead to a crash. All lanes go through.
The schedule for the bridge replacement and traffic impacts is as follows:
- Sept. 11: By the morning rush hour, there will be a lane split on I-95 SB beginning before the Elmwood Avenue off-ramp (Exit 34) with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through. It also will be in effect on Sept. 12-13.
- Sept. 13-16: The two left lanes on I-95 SB and the left lane on I-95 NB will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, Sept. 13. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.
- Sept. 16-20: There will be a lane split on I-95 SB beginning before the Elmwood Avenue off-ramp (Exit 34) with two lanes on either side of the split. All lanes go through.
- Sept. 20-23: The two right lanes on I-95 SB and the left lane on I-95 NB will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night, Sept. 20. Also, Elmwood Avenue will be closed at the bridge. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23.
- Later this Fall: RIDOT will schedule two weekend closures for I-95 at Elmwood Avenue. More details will be announced well in advance.
[Related: I-70 bridge closed in Kansas City through end of year]
Combined companies now take ‘Fleetworthy’ name
As was teased in the recent Bestpass-Fleetworthy Solutions-sponsored webinar for Overdrive readers, the company’s connected suite for safety, compliance, and efficiency has completed an extensive rebranding effort to reflect the company’s growth, mission, and expanded road safety and fleet technology. The company will now take the name “Fleetworthy.”
The update unifies a portfolio of innovative solutions provided by Bestpass, Fleetworthy Solutions, Drivewyze, and ExpressTruckTax.
The announcement also introduced this new company logo.
In addition to the new name and logo, the company has launched a new website at www.fleetworthy.com, which includes information regarding its sub-brand products and company. For Fleetworthy Solutions customers, account login access will still be available through the Fleetworthy website. Customers of Bestpass, Drivewyze, and ExpressTruckTax will continue to access their services through the existing websites without any changes to their login process or user experience.
How do owner-operators and small fleets survive and thrive in tough economic times? Find out in this on-demand webinar.
Register today and watch the on-demand webinar from owner-operators and small fleets as we discuss how they prepared during the good times to weather the storms.
“This is an exciting time for Fleetworthy as we combine our suite of road safety and fleet offerings under one unified brand,” said Tom Fogarty, Fleetworthy CEO. “This rebrand is just the beginning in what we are planning to deliver through expanded services and product integration.”
In recent years, Bestpass has been on a mission to expand its service offerings beyond toll management through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Since 2022, the company has expanded its offerings by acquiring ExpressTruckTax, Fleetworthy Solutions, and Drivewyze, positioning itself as a one-stop-shop for fleet safety, compliance, and efficiency.
Hawaii requests limited waiver from proof of citizenship rules
Following a similar request earlier this summer from the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Hawaii Department of Transportation is seeking a limited exemption from the CDL rules concerning acceptable proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency for citizens of Freely Associated States (FAS) who now reside in Hawaii and wish to obtain a CDL.
The FAS are the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
If granted the waiver, HDOT would be allowed to issue standard commercial learner permits (CLPs) and CDLs to FAS citizens, rather than issuing non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs.
Under the U.S.’ agreements with the FAS, citizens of the FAS may enter the United States as nonimmigrants, and, without obtaining a visa, they may remain in and work in the country indefinitely.
HDOT is requesting that FMCSA grant the waiver and allow it to issue CDLs and CLPs to citizens of the FAS in accordance with State procedures in 49 CFR 383.73(a) and (b). Ordinarily, a person who is not a U.S. citizen must present a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card. For a person who is a citizen of an FAS, HDOT would instead accept a valid, unexpired passport issued by an FAS and an Arrival/Departure Record, meaning an I-94 or I-94A form, to prove that the individual has entered the United States lawfully.
FMCSA will accept public comments on the request, which can be filed here, through Oct. 11.
[Related: Oregon wants limited waiver from proof of citizenship, residency rules]