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In a plea to the Pennsylvania State Legislature to hold a special session on transportation funding, Gov. Edward Rendell (D) recently told members of the Senate Transportation Committee that, collectively in their 13 districts, they have 1,970 structurally deficient bridges.

Florida and Louisiana are among six states this year to pass anti-indemnification laws that prohibit contractors from shifting insurance liabilities onto truckers.

P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a profit of $1.3 million in the second quarter, compared with a $2.4 million loss a year ago.

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rejected raising fuel taxes to pay for highway improvements and said that, despite pessimism about the prospects for a long-term highway bill, the administration was focused on completing a bill this year.

Shippers said potential cuts in driving time and total work hours sought by the opponents of the current hours-of-service rule could force costly changes in the supply chain and further tighten capacity.

Truckers in New Jersey using two-way radios are now exempted from the state’s ban on driving while using handheld communication devices.

New Jersey has exempted truck drivers using with CBs and two-way radios from its prohibition against using handheld communication devices while driving.

Are carriers generally immune from exercising sound business practices? It’s really not that difficult to gather solid credit history and information on a broker, whereas getting accurate relevant information on a shipper is much more difficult.

Carrier earnings for the second quarter started off on a positive note last week, with truckload carrier Landstar System Inc. reporting a 37% increase in net income and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. announcing a 52% rise in profit.

The recession appears to be waning, but trucking still is feeling the downturn’s effects and is keeping a watchful eye on expenses, including insurance.