A road to the Arctic Ocean

INUVIK, NWT - The road residents of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in Canada's Northwest Territories have been championing for more than 50 years is finally here. While final road-grading, and the installation of signage and guardrails continues, the all-weather road from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, ending on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, was officially opened Nov.15. Construction of the 138-kilometer northern highway began in January 2014, but lobbying efforts by the community to get a passage built to allow year-round shipment of goods and a lower cost of living for those in Tuktoyaktuk began in the 1960s. The new extension to the MacKenzie Valley Highway will replace the annual construction of the 187-kilometer winter road required to get shipments in and out of the town. Until last week, when the four-month winter ice road wasn't in service, the only way into Tuktoyaktuk was by plane. The cost of food in the community was more than double that of places like Edmonton, and rising at a rate of up to 6% per year, according to a 2013 research study done by Dennis Bevington, federal Member of Parliament for the Western Arctic area.

FMCSA’s lack of oversight contributed to crash: NTSB

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) needs to crack down on motor carriers after a fatal crash in California. A recent NTSB report found the driver of a motorcoach that crashed on a California highway in the early-morning hours on Aug. 2, 2016, killing four passengers, was sleep deprived.

MELT seminar to take place Dec. 12

HAMILTON, Ont. — A presentation by Ministry officials summarizing the first 120 days of MELT is set to take place on Dec. 12. From 10 a.m.-noon, the TTSAO says ministry…

PMTC’s Young Leaders Group to hold meeting in December

MILTON, Ont. — The Young Leaders Group (YLG) of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) is holding a breakfast meeting on December 14. The meeting, to be held…

Class 8 sales explode in ‘red hot’ Canadian market

COLUMBUS, IN - North American Class 8 vehicle sales exploded in October according to ACT Research, rising to a 35-month high. More than 36,000 units were ordered as U.S. fleets increased demand. The firm also called the Canadian market "red hot."

Rise in Oct. tonnage means a happy holiday: ATA

ARLINGTON, VA - For-hire truck tonnage was up in October, suggesting a happy holiday season is to come, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA). The ATA's seasonally adjusted for-hire truck tonnage index rose 3.3% from the month before, after a decline of 1.9% was posted in September.

VersaCold launches Phase 1 on new facility

MILTON, ON - VersaCold Logistics announced the opening of Phase 1 of its new Milton distribution center, as part of their overall growth strategy that includes an expanded partnership with Nestle's Canada. With more than 19.1 million cubic feet, the company's biggest-ever capital investment will be one of Canada's largest third-party operated refrigerated facilities once it's completed next year.

Pilot Flying J ‘harvesting’ extra food for those in need

KNOXVILLE, TN - At the beginning of a season of giving, Pilot Flying J and Food Donation Connection (FDC) have announced a partnership to supply extra food items to local non-profits and food bank agencies to help families facing hunger next year. The largest operator of travel centers in North America said they will be participating in the Harvest Program, a nation-wide initiative in the United States to combat hunger in areas Pilot Flying J is located by 'harvesting' surplus food - such as hot PJ Fresh pizza slices, burgers and premium breakfast sandwiches - and safely prepare and freeze it for donation to local food banks and shelters.

Spot markets climb for 17th straight month

PORTLAND, OR – Spot market rates for all equipment types continued an uninterrupted 17-month climb in October, with a 65% increase in volume over the same month last year. Digital…

Eberspaecher NA growing; recognized by GM

WIXOM, MI - Eberspaecher's North America says it's poised for growth while celebrating its General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award for 2016. The exhaust technology business was recently given the award for the 2016 calendar year. The recognition was for the Wixom manufacturing facility for achieving what the company calls a very stringent set of quality performance criteria set by GM, and for its support of the GM organization.

Nett Technologies to move into larger facility

MISSISAUGA, Ont. – Nett Technologies, a Canadian manufacturer of emissions control systems, has announced it’s moving into a larger facility Dec. 15. The company will move into an 87,000 sq.-ft.

U.S. truck tonnage up in October: ATA

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. for-hire truck tonnage increased 3.3% in October, and was up 9.9% year-over-year, according to the For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index from the American Trucking Associations (ATA). That…

Eberspaecher growing North American operations

WIXOM, Mich. – Eberspaecher says its North American exhaust technology business is poised for growth, with 10 new product launches planned over the next year at its Wixom, Mich., plant.

Tesla rolls ahead with Class 8

HAWTHORNE, CA - Elon Musk has officially unveiled the all-electric Class 8 Tesla Semi, following months of speculation and delays. Now the question is whether his company will become the industry disruptor it wants to be. A pair of prototype day cabs unveiled in California on Thursday featured a streamlined bullet-like design, evoking a look traditionally left to concept vehicles. And there were plenty of world media representatives there to share in the experience, each shepherded into a secure hanger for a brief peek. Just a day before, Musk went so far as to tweet this truck "can transform into a robot, fight aliens, and make one hell of a latte". Yes, it was hyperbole - there was no cappuccino machine anywhere -- but the Chief Executive Officer and product architect attracted plenty of attention for his latest announcement. More than 1,000 people were on hand for the launch, cheering every point that Musk made, especially when a new roadster rolled out of the back of the trailer.

Penske rolls out ELD compliant app for rental trucks

READING, PA - With less than a month to go before the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate takes effect in the United States, Penske Truck Leasing has released a new application (app) for its commercial rental customers to help them be compliant when on the road.