A.M. Executive Briefing - Dec. 17
This Morning's Headlines:
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DaimlerChrysler Begins Talks to Buy Nissan Diesel Once More: Report
According to the Handelsblatt newspaper, DaimlerChrysler and Nissan Motor have reentered talks about DaimlerChrysler purchasing the Nissan Diesel truck-manufacturing unit. A Nissan Diesel spokesman said the newspaper report was untrue, while a Nissan Motor spokesman could not comment. Renault took 20% of Nissan Diesel after DaimlerChrysler retreated from negotiations last year. Agence France Presse (12/17/99)Dock Board Launches First Phase of Major Renovation Project
The Port of New Orleans Dock Board unanimously approved construction on the first phase of a container terminal at the old Uptown wharves to take the place of the obsolete Industrial Canal facility. However, the opening date for the first phase, at Napoleon Avenue Wharf, has been postponed from the planned date of April 2001 because of delays in the rebuilding of part of Tchoupitoulas Street. The stretch of the street, full of traffic holdups and potholes, runs between the Clarence Henry Truckway and interstate highways.
Committee Approves More Big Trucks on More Vermont Roads
A bill to allow trucks as long as 72 feet overall on a number of key Vermont roadways received a preliminary okay from a panel drawn from the Transportation committees of the state House and Senate. Many Woodstock residents have complained of big rigs going through town on Route 4, a key road for interstate highway access in Rutland County, but a proposed truck ban on the road came under fire from businesses and legislators in the county.he bill would remove the Route 4 truck ban on the Queechee-Killington stretch but would mandate that trucks get permits to use Route 4. Other roads in the state would be part of a permit-free truck route system. Companies in the state would be able to grant permits on certain roadways, and commercial vehicle enforcement instruction for municipal police would be funded if the bill is passed. Associated Press (12/16/99)
Area Panel Approves Pricey Pollution Test
Recommendations to improve the air quality in the Pennsylvania counties of Lehigh, Northampton, and Berks have been approved by the Lehigh Valley/Reading Ozone Stakeholders. Among the ozone-cutting measures are testing emissions on vehicles over 9,000 pounds at weigh stations, allowing roadside testing of heavy trucks whose emissions can be seen, and restricting heavy vehicles to between three and five minutes idling time. If the vehicles are doing work or if it is colder than 25 degrees, the idling limit would not be in force.The majority of the measures deal with emissions testing for cars and light trucks. The stakeholders panel was set up by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection with a mission to cut ozone and bring the counties in line with federal standards for air quality. Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) (12/16/99) P. A1; Parrish, Kathleen; Berg, Christian D.
Riders on Delaware Memorial Bridge Could Pay More
The Delaware River and Bay Authority is eyeing a potential toll hike for cars and commercial vehicles on the Delaware Memorial Bridge to fund ferry and bridge proposals.The plan would raise the toll for commercial vehicles to $3 per axle, up 50 cents, while car tolls would go up to $3. If the bridge and ferry proposals get the board of commissioners' okay, the toll hike would be voted on in January and could go into effect the following month. Associated Press (12/16/99)
Pickets at Trucking Terminal Restricted
Judge Adele Riley of Montgomery County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court on Thursday gave a temporary restraining order to prohibit intimidating or violent behavior by Teamsters picketing Overnite Transportation's terminal in Dayton. There can also be no more than two pickets at the terminal at any time. Overnite sued union Local 957 Wednesday, alleging various acts including putting nails at the entrance of the terminal and throwing things at Overnite vehicles. Cleveland Live Online (12/16/99)Philadelphia Mob Boss, 13 Others Indicted in $1.3 Million Theft Ring
Fourteen people, including three owners of Philadelphia-area trucking firms and the alleged organized-crime boss there, have been indicted by federal prosecutors, who accuse them of being part of a cargo-theft ring in the city.One indictment hit Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino and four others allegedly linked with the Philadelphia mob with charges of racketeering, conspiracy, and receiving stolen goods. Another indictment charged the three carrier owners and six other people with related crimes.
Among those charged was a onetime security guard for CSX, who according to prosecutor Michael R. Stiles assisted the ring in filling trucks with items taken from Ameriport and CSX facilities. The ring allegedly stole $1.3 million worth of cargo, including television sets, baby formula, and model trains. Associated Press (12/16/99); Cox, Meki
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