News First Midweek – 2015-10-15

Study Looks at Montreal Drayage Drivers, Communication…

Ambassador Bridge Installing Streamlined Toll Service

ALBANY, NY, and DETROIT MI. - The owner of the Ambassador Bridge and a company that provides toll management services to truck fleets announced a collaboration to streamline toll service for commercial vehicles using the span to travel between Detroit and Windsor, ON.

Mack Celebrates New Axle Production Line

HAGERSTOWN, MD -- Mack Trucks this week inaugurated its new axle line at its Hagerstown, MD facility, with a look to its past. The new line, where Mack powertrain components have been assembled since 1961, is part of a US$30 million investment, which brought assembly of all Mack heavy-duty drive axles and machining of Mack carrier housings to the plant.

Nightmare Awaits for Trucks in Port City

PORT COLBORNE, ON - Truck traffic in the Port Colborne area is about to turn ugly following damage to a bridge and planned closures for others, all resulting in detours in this area west of Buffalo NY.

Diesel Prices Creep Higher for Second Straight Week

LONDON, ON and WASHINGTON, D.C. - National average prices for diesel are gaining momentum, hitting levels not seen in several weeks in both Canada and the U.S. In Canada, trucking's main fuel increased $0.026 over the past week, hitting $1.055 per liter, according to the petroleum information services provider The Kent Group. This marks the second straight weekly hike.

Manitoba Upgrading Major Roadways

WINNIPEG, MB -- The Manitoba government is launching the first wave of road improvements funded by the Trucking Productivity Improvement Fund, which is based on fees collected from companies that transport overweight cargo on provincial roads. It will invest $1.4 million on provincial roads across Manitoba including $750,000 for improvements and repairs to PR 384, also known as Moose Lake Road; and $250,000 improving PR 392, PR 393 and PR 395 near Snow Lake. "Through this important partnership, the province is repairing the roads that companies use to haul loads above weight limits to improve their productivity," said Premier Greg Selinger. "The fund enhances flexibility for companies, promotes economic development and creates efficiencies for regional businesses. It also ensures that a portion of cost savings to industry are reinvested in the roads that are worn in the process."

Study Looks at Montreal Drayage Drivers, Communication

MONTREAL, QC - A study that is reportedly the first of its kind offers a profile of Montreal drayage drivers and examines communication technologies currently used by them and drayage trucking companies in the region. It's a collaboration between the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table, a non-profit, regional partnership between labor, business and education/training institutions, and the Montreal Port Authority. According to the study, many drivers and employers already use smartphones to share and obtain traffic information. It also found that drivers actively using newer technology will increase and a significant percentage of drivers would prefer to use newer technologies to receive their information.

NL Makes Defence Licence Equal to Commercial Licence

ST. JOHNS, NL -- The Newfoundland Labrador government has announced it is formally recognizing specific training under the Department of National Defence 404 driver's licence as equivalent to a commercial vehicle driver's licence.

Eberspaecher North America Names New President

MISSISSAUGA, ON -- Eberspaecher Climate Control Systems, formerly Espar Heater Systems, announced on Wednesday Brian Covello has joined the company as president.

Tremcar Develops New Farm Pick-Up Tank Design

ST.-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QC -- The tanker trailer manufacturer Tremcar says it has developed a solution in collaboration with one of its customers when it comes to the problem of safely loading and unloading cargo.

Product Watch – 2015-10-14

Product Watch…

Companies Ready to Start Work on New International Bridge

WINDSOR, ON - Six different teams made up of Canadian, American and international companies have offered up their services to built the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), which is managing the project to build the span connecting Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI, announced on Wednesday it received a strong response to its request for qualifications (RFQ) it made in July.

Ontario First to Test Automated Vehicles on Canadian Roads

TORONTO, ON -- The Ontario government is launching a new pilot program, making it the first area in Canada to allow for the testing of automated vehicles on roadways beginning at the start of 2016.

Can’t Attend Logistics Conference? Register for Webcasts

TORONTO, ON - A provider of trucking industry online professional courses, certifications and webinars has opened registration for the webcast presentations of the CITT Canada Logistics Conference 2015.

Eaton Enhances Reman Transmission, Clutch Warranty

GALESBURG, MI -- Eaton continues to expand the warranty coverage options for the company's aftermarket transmissions and clutches. Customers purchasing an Eaton factory remanufactured transmission with Roadranger-approved lubricant and an Eaton clutch will now not only receive an extra year of warranty on the transmission, but will also receive an additional year of coverage on the clutch.