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WASHINGTON — Allowing the freight industry to rely on twin 33-foot trailers nationwide would enhance productivity, safety and environmental efficiency, FedEx Corp.’s chief executive told a House transportation panel Feb. 1.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has sued Lakeville Motor Express, LME Inc. and Finish Line Express, charging that the companies committed fraud and wage theft when Lakeville closed its doors without notice shortly before Thanksgiving.

Investments in infrastructure are needed across every level of government to accommodate the massive increases in truck traffic and freight demand over three decades, outgoing Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx indicated in his final report as head of the agency.

On his final full day as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Scott Darling said his biggest regret of his 2½ years in charge was not being able to fully implement the Unified Registration System.

A new coalition of shippers and retailers led by UPS Inc., FedEx Corp. and Amazon.com plans to call on members of Congress to support the nationwide access of twin 33-foot trailers, a move likely to ignite a contentious debate among lawmakers during the 115th Congress.

For several top North American container ports 2016 was a record-setting year, and industry analysts are cautiously optimistic that 2017 will be even better despite the uncertainty in Washington that comes with a new presidential administration.