Trucking news and briefs for Friday, Dec. 6, 2024:
Convoy to Arlington National Cemetery begins Saturday
The Wreaths Across America “Escort to Arlington” is set to kick off Saturday, Dec. 7 — the beginning of a week-long tour from Maine down the East Coast to Washington, D.C.
The official route, which can be viewed here, will travel down the East Coast, stopping at schools, memorials and other locations along the way to spread the organization’s year-long mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Stops with public events will be held in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington D.C., before the arrival at Arlington National Cemetery on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 14 — National Wreaths Across America Day.
For the 10th year in a row, Chevrolet provided 12 wrapped escort vehicles, including the All-Electric Silverado EV RST, to transport participating Gold Star and Blue Star family members and veterans during the week-long trip. In addition, Chevrolet sponsored 4,000 veterans’ wreaths for placement at Arlington National Cemetery to help honor veterans.
The Escort to Arlington will consist of 14 tractor-trailers representing Baylor Trucking, Budd Van Lines, Saia LTL, Schneider National, Witte Bros. Exchange, Page ETC Transportation, Delhaize Transportation (DBA Hannaford Supermarkets), American Trucking Associations’ Workforce Heroes program, Cargo Transporters, Prime Inc., Brown Dog Carriers, Walmart Transportation, Interstate Van Lines, and H.O. Wolding (DBA Bison Transport USA).
Additionally, Load One Carriers will again serve as the ceremonial wreath transporter for the week.
The organizations and their professional drivers will haul a portion of the sponsored veterans’ wreaths designated for placement by thousands of volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day.
What began 30-plus years ago as a pilgrimage by a Maine wreath maker in a single truck to deliver 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery as a gesture of thanks has become a year-long mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach.”
National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies are happening at more than 4,800 participating locations nationwide on Saturday, Dec. 14. These events are free and open to all people.
[Related: Remember, honor, teach: What Wreaths Across America means for trucking, and all of us]
FMCSA proposes to allow hazmat endorsement waivers for certain jet fuel haulers
A rule proposed this week by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would allow states to waive the hazardous materials (HM) endorsement requirement for Class A CDL holders who transport no more than 1,000 gallons of aviation-grade jet fuel in support of seasonal agricultural operations.
The agency said many farm operations utilize aircraft to apply pesticides or fertilizers to their crops, and agricultural aviation companies often deliver aircraft fuel to staging areas some distance from their headquarters.
“These companies, particularly in remote, rural areas, have difficulty finding CDL holders with HM endorsements to complete these deliveries,” FMCSA said.
The agency noted, however, that current regulations (49 Code of Federal Regulations 383.3(i)) provide for a waiver of the HM endorsement requirements for drivers transporting 1,000 gallons or less of diesel fuel in the CDL holder’s state of domicile as an employee of four specific agriculture-related businesses.
FMCSA is now proposing to give states similar authority to waive the HM endorsement requirement for drivers hauling up to 1,000 gallons of aviation grade jet fuel (often called Jet A) in the CDL holder’s state of domicile and in support of agricultural aircraft operations.
The rulemaking proposal is in response to a 2018 petition for rulemaking from the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), which FMCSA granted in December 2022.
FMCSA is requesting public comments on the proposal for 60 days through Feb. 3, 2025, which can be filed here. The agency specifically asked for comments on certain aspects of the agriculture aviation industry and the use of commercial vehicles to transport jet fuel. Specific questions from the agency can be viewed here.
New TA Express opens in Wisconsin
TravelCenters of America has opened a TA Express in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, along I-90.
The new TA Express offers fueling, convenience items, dining options and other services for professional drivers and motorists.
Amenities include a Miss J’s Café with freshly prepared deli to-go food options, a second quick-service restaurant coming soon, 50 truck parking spaces, five diesel fueling lanes, four private showers and more.