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As the 1980s drew to a close, efforts to enact laws in each state permitting use of 53-foot trailers were gaining momentum and now the larger trailers are legal everywhere in the United States with the exception of the District of Columbia.

Most major trailer manufacturers said they would expect to see an immediate surge of demand for 33-foot twin trailers, should the government approve their use for U.S. roads. They also said they would be ready to build the longer doubles as soon as fleets begin submitting orders.

Consumer confidence in the United States eased last week from its highest level since the end of April, reflecting subdued views of the economy and buying climate.

The nation’s largest for-hire carriers are becoming more selective about the freight they haul, taking steps to minimize delays and focusing on better utilization of equipment and personnel as strong demand and a shortage of drivers continue to strain capacity.

Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.) introduced legislation that would raise federal fuel taxes by 10.1 cents per gallon, and index the new rate to inflation as a way to ensure the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

Federal lawmakers should consider implementing a vehicle miles traveled pilot program nationwide as a way to boost dollars for infrastructure projects on a long-term basis, a Senate Finance Committee working group said in a report released July 8.

Less-than-truckload fleet Pitt Ohio announced plans to expand its service area Aug. 17 to include the Louisville, Kentucky, market.

Two leading trucking associations and a key safety group have expressed support for legislation recently introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) designed to reform the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulatory process. 

The Colorado Supreme Court has agreed to review a lawsuit alleging that a fee charged by state-authorized enterprise to finance, repair, reconstruct and replace Colorado bridges is an unconstitutional tax.