World's Largest Truck Convoy

Truckers from all over the United States will kick off the World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Missouri at two locations, Joplin and St. Charles.  In Joplin, trucks will begin at the Petro Station off exit 4.  They will leave the Petro Station escorted by law enforcement in a convoy throughout Joplin and end back at Petro.  In St. Charles, trucks will begin at the Family Arena off I-70.  They will leave the Family Arena escorted by law enforcement in a convoy throughout St. Louis, and end at the TR Hughes Ball Park in O'Fallon.   At both locations there will be a celebration party recognizing participating truckers and the support they give to Special Olympics.  Special Olympics athletes and families, community organizations, companies and law enforcement agencies will welcome the tucks as they arrive at their destination with great music and fun!

To participate in this event:  Click the appropriate location.   Joplin, Petro Station Convoy  -   St. Charles, The Family Arena Convoy or  go to www.worldslargesttruckconvoy.com.

I-49 Coming to Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY – On August 11, 2010, The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) approved highway construction resulting in the upgrading of the US 71 corridor between Kansas City and Joplin to interstate standards by the end of 2012.

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Industry Loses Partner -

          Joe Boyd Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator

Joe Boyd, Missouri Division Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration passed away on Tuesday August 10th when he lost his battle with cancer.
 
Joe had been the Division Administrator in Missouri since 1998.  Although he worked for an enforcement agency, Joe was very supportive of the Missouri Trucking Association by endorsing educational programs and helping motor carriers with enforcement issues.  Joe will be missed by all.
 
Joe is survived by his wife, Bonnie and a son Andy who live at the home in Jefferson City.
 
Services will be held in St. Louis, MO.  The visitation will be Sunday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63123.  The Funeral will be at Kutis Funeral Home at 10:00 am Monday morning with internment immediately following at Jefferson Barracks.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the Disabled Veterans.

Jody Arnall Places Third in Step Van Class at NTDC

 Jody Arnall of FedEx Freight in Springfield, MO placed third at the National Truck Driving Championships held August 3-7, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Jody competed against 32 other state champions attending the event. Presenting the Third Place Trophy is FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro and Mark Courtier, of Fedex Freight, the Championships Chairman. Tommy Hodges, ATA Chairman announced the winners during the Championships Banquet held in the Columbus Convention Center.

 During the National Truck Driving Championships the top three finishers compete in a run-off to determine the winners for each class before the winners are announced. Congratulations, Jody, on a job well done.

Senate Bill Would Allow Heavier Trucks
Measure Backed by ATA, Shippers’ Group

A trio of senators introduced a bill that would allow states to increase the maximum weight for trucks operating on their interstates beyond the federal limit of 80,000 pounds.

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) said in introducing the Safe Efficient Transportation Act that states would be allowed to “opt in” and increase their weight limits to 97,000 pounds.

The legislation is identical to a bill introduced in the House last March by Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) and would require the new, heavier trucks to have six axles in order to diffuse the added weight.

“This bipartisan legislation strikes the right balance between productivity and safety,” Kohl said in a statement.

The bill is backed by American Trucking Associations and the Coalition for Transportation Productivity, a shippers’ group, the two said in statements Thursday.

“ATA supports a number of reforms to federal truck size and weight regulations as part of our Sustainability Initiative,” said ATA President Bill Graves.

“More efficient trucks, like those allowed under this legislation, will significantly reduce the trucking industry’s carbon output,” he said in a statement.

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Here's an excellent opportunity to show your appreciation to your drivers.  Please send us information on your celebration.  We'd enjoy pictures of the event as well.   CLICK FOR FORM