A.M. Executive Briefing - Aug. 14

Gasoline Prices Still Dropping

Lundberg's monthly report on gasoline prices showed the national average to be $1.53 a gallon and that the price had dropped 7.48 cents per gallon in the past three weeks. Lundberg went on to tell AP that prices fell 17 cents in the Midwest, which was hit hard by a sharp rise in the early summer. Prices in Chicago and Milwaukee exceeded $2 a gallon.

Lundberg said if crude oil prices stay around $31 a barrel, that would likely stop declining prices at the pump. Bloomberg reported Monday that crude oil was up to $31.10 a barrel for September delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Toronto Mayor Wants To Ban Trucks Carrying Hazardous Materials

Lastman called for the ban after a tractor-trailer hauling lead oxide collapsed on the Gardiner Expressway last week and tied up traffic for 15 hours, the article said.

Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley told the Sun the plan was unrealistic and that, without hazardous materials – which includes necessities like gasoline and some household items – the city would shut down. Transport Topics

Nebraska Law Will Allow Farmers To Haul Overweight Loads Without Permits

Farmers will be allowed to haul agricultural commodities exceeding the maximum legal limit by 15%, up to 70 miles from the point of harvest to storage or sale, without applying for a permit as they had previously, the article said. It is expected the new law will save the farmers time and money, as the former permits would expire after 30 days, often requiring a second permit to cover the full harvest, the AP said. Transport Topics

Interstate 20 To Be Widened, Concrete Barrier Added In Alabama

The stretch of interstate will be widened to six lanes, and the barriers will be added in an attempt to prevent accidents. Drivers crossing the median into oncoming traffic have caused many fatal accidents on Interstate 20 in the state, a DOT official told AP. Transport Topics

Maine Intermodal Companies Building Ties to Boost Business

After Guilford Rail Systems reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad to carry Guilford traffic to the western United States, it saw an increase in traffic at its Waterville, Maine terminal, the article said. The St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Bangor & Aroostook Railroads have also made deals to increase business, linking with other business or leasing track to better reach more markets, the AP said.

A Maine Office of Freight Transportation official told AP these deals should help the long-haul trucking industry in the area, while a spokesman for the Association of American Railroads added that the number of trailers and containers moved by rail has tripled over the last 20 years to more than 9 million last year, the article said. Transport Topics

TEAM Vehicle Sales Opens Atlanta Vehicle Sales Center

The Atlanta center is the sixth of 10 new vehicle sales centers TEAM will open in 2000, the company said. The facility will offer light and medium-duty straight trucks, tractors and trailers, and can provide financing and insurance.

There is a glut of vehicles on the used market, due mostly to independent drivers being hit hard by the spike in diesel prices. That used-truck glut has caused a significant slow down in new truck sales and production, which in turn has meant a recent wave of plant shutdowns and layoffs for truck manufacturers. Transport Topics