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Congress was set last week to pass new transportation legislation authorizing highway spending through September 2014, after House and Senate negotiators agreed on a bill that included a mandate for electronic onboard recorders for trucks and a study of the 34-hour restart provision in driver hours-of-service regulations.

In preparation for an acquisition or divestiture, carriers must be conscious of the challenges associated with these transactions. Too often, owners and management come to the deal table wishing they had been better prepared.

Congress finally has managed to come to grips with a bill that extends funding for highway and other transportation programs beyond the next few months.

I am writing today regarding the June 18 Opinion titled “Higher Bonds Still Not the Answer” by Daniel Larson, president and chief operating officer, Pacific Financial Association Inc.

Following announcement by other less-than-truckload carriers, Roadrunner Transportation Systems said it will implement a 6.9% rate increase, effective July 16.

Epes Logistics said it bought brokerage firm Meredith Transport, to broaden service offerings of the Epes Carriers’ subsidiary. Terms were not disclosed.

Initial jobless claims fell by 6,000 last week, to 386,000, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Looking to expand further in western Canada, Manitoulin Global Forwarding, Mississauga, Ontario, said it has acquired Can-Tran International, Leduc, Alberta.