P.M. Executive Briefing - Jan. 25

Editor's Note: Transport Topics Online is proud to offer Executive Briefing - a quick read on the day's trucking news. These summaries are produced by Information, Inc., which scours over 1,200 publications - from local newspapers to trade publications - and summarizes what they dig up. The result is the most complete trucking coverage anywhere. And only TT Online has it!

This Afternoon's Headlines:

ul>

  • Hazardous Materials Plan Rapped
  • FedEx Starts Service to East Malaysia
  • J.B. Hunt Announces Safe Driver Awards
  • Texas Man Goes to Prison for Possessing More than a Ton of Marijuana
  • Werner Announces Earnings, Personnel Changes
  • Tech-Trucking

    Hazardous Materials Plan Rapped

    San Antonio's hazmat routing proposal, which would keep hazmat trucks off elevated highways downtown and shift them to Loop 410 and East Side roads, came under fire from critics at a Monday hearing. The fire official who drafted the proposal, however, said many critics' suggestions merited consideration.

    Great Northwest Homeowner Association vice chairman Edgar Zepeda said the city rushed too quickly to the solution after a downtown acid spill last month. East Side residents lashed out at a proposal to allow fuel trucks making local deliveries use part of Interstate 37 from midnight to 6 a.m.; other hazmat trucks would be barred from that portion, east of the city's downtown. Officials from Leon Valley and Helotes were against allowing hazmat trucks on Bandera Road because of stop-and-go traffic there.



    The toughest critics opposed taking trucks off the downtown highways and forcing them to use the longer and more congested Loop 410 route. The mayor of Castle Hills, one of the six suburbs that could hold up passage of the plan if they do not support it, noted much higher attendance at a Castle Hills meeting on the route plan.

    The state Transportation Department could accept the San Antonio route, in spite of the suburbs, or come up with a plan of its own. Fire officials want the San Antonio City Council to pass the plan Feb. 10, after reviewing the hearing comments, and city officials want to be able to enforce a hazmat route by the middle of August. San Antonio Express-News Online (01/24/00); Huddleston, Scott


    FedEx Starts Service to East Malaysia

    Federal Express began service Monday in the city of Kuching, Malaysia, where it opened a 1,760-square-foot depot with sorting and distribution center. The creation of the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone has led to an influx of high-tech companies and a need for time-definite air express services in east Malaysia. East Malaysia, which was previously left out of the technology boom, now has demand for services that can quickly carry products to the United States and Japan. Journal of Commerce (01/25/00) P. 5


    J.B. Hunt Announces Safe Driver Awards

    J.B. Hunt Transport Service has released its list of 52 employees who were recognized in the fourth quarter of 1999 for being million-mile safe drivers. In addition, Marion Olinger was noted as a two-million-mile safe driver. The company gives $5,000 cash to each million-mile safe driver, $10,000 to each two-million-mile safe driver, and $20,000 to each three-million-mile safe driver. TruckingInfo.com (01/24/00)


    Texas Man Goes to Prison for Possessing More than a Ton of Marijuana

    A Westlaco, Texas, resident, whose semi was found to contain 2,694 pounds of marijuana when searched at an Interstate 55 weigh station in July, has been given six years in prison. Reynaldo C. Charles, 28, who said he was given $30,000 to take the marijuana to Chicago, had pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of marijuana. He was sentenced Monday for possession with intent to distribute. Associated Press (01/24/00)


    Werner Announces Earnings, Personnel Changes

    Werner Enterprises said it saw earnings and operating revenues gains for the fourth quarter and full year. Fourth quarter operating revenues were $280.6 million, up 21%, with full-year operating revenues of $1.05 billion, up 22%.

    regory L. Werner has been appointed chief operating officer in addition to his current role as president, Mark A. Martin has been promoted to executive vice president-marketing, and Daniel H. Cushman to senior vice president-van division. Robert Synowicki Jr. has been named executive vice president and chief information officer. TruckingInfo.com (01/24/00)


    Tech-Trucking

    The Federal Highway Administration, in an effort to demonstrate technological systems that trim administrative processes, increase truck safety and productivity, and reduce delays, has created a Technology Truck to tour the country. The FHWA hopes that the truck's hands-on demonstrations and multi-media presentations will educate the trucking industry as well as lawmakers, state regulators, and decision makers.

    Private-sector consultants as well as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Transportation Department representatives are among the members of the demonstration team. Information about the truck's displays and scheduling is available at www.ornl.gov/dp111. Modern Bulk Transporter (01/00) Vol. 62, No. 7; P. 50

    © copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service

  •