Our Blog -

A new bridge could connect the U.S. and Canada, and that prospect excites both the Canadians and federal government.

According to the Canadian government, a new bridge linking Detroit to Windsor, by Ontario, could be funded in large part by the Canadians themselves. They have offered to pay for their own end of the bridge, in addition to fronting $550 million for the American end of the bridge.

Michigan Governor Granholm presented the prospect to the state's legislature last month, expecting to get a vote on the deal by a June 1 deadline. The estimate of the total cost of the bridge is $5.3 billion.

The current connector between the United States and Canada links at the same location. Its owner is threatening to sue Canada for violating the North American Free Trade Agreement, arguing that Canada is trying to coerce the state of Michigan to agree to this bridge-building deal.

If you are running into troubles with your trucking business, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, by calling them at 800-207-7661 today.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have granted the city of Boston a 45-day extension on their current hazardous materials carrier policies for the second time.

The current rules restrict where trucks carrying hazmat loads can travel, causing longer routes and night hours for truckers operating in the city. They were established in 2006. However, these policies have produced contentious feelings with haulers, especially the American Trucking Association. The ATA filed a petition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after Boston first put the restrictions in place.

In November, FMCSA sided with the carriers, and voided Boston's policy. They cited inconsistencies with the set limitations and federally established route procedures.

The ATA hopes that the city will reconsider its routing policy to better work with hazmat truckers.

If you are having problems with your trucking business, TBS Truck Factoring LLC, may be able to help you. Contact them today by calling 800-207-7661.

On a trip to Washington, Mexican President Felipe Calderon met with President Obama to discuss allowing Mexican trucks to travel on American highways.

Since the programs set in place by the North American Free Trade Agreement, which began in 1994, Mexican trucks had been open to freely travel across the U.S. Disputes arose over safety concerns, and Congress ended those programs in March 2009.

President Obama was optimistic that an agreement could be reached, and the free flow of commerce could occur between the two nations once again. Roughly 80% of Mexican exports go to the United States.

Mexico's response to the end of cross-border traffic was to place an estimated $2.4 billion in tariffs on American products.

If you need a reliable trucking company to settle your logistics needs, contact the professionals at TBS Truck Factoring, LLC., at 800-207-7661.

The Virginia governor is seeking federal approval for charging a toll on Interstate 95 near the North Carolina border to pay for repairs to the roadway. By charging $1-$2 per axle, the revenue could total $30 million to $60 million each year. In strong opposition, American Trucking Associations and the Virginia Trucking Association plan to address the proposal.

Interstate 95 is said to be one of the most important transportation routes in the U.S., but that particular stretch has deficient pavements and other problems. That road sees more accidents than most other roads in the state.

If you fear that tolls could cost your trucking company a lot of money and you need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, today by calling 800-207-7661.

The end of last week saw oil drop to $75.15 per barrel after a nearly $2 drop on Friday. The price fell a total of $11 over the week. On Friday the week before, the cost was $86.15.

The price of crude oil is at its lowest since February. The drop occurred partly because of fears that Europe's debt crisis might start spreading to the U.S. and other economies, experts say.

If you're in the trucking industry and need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, today by calling 800-207-7661.

The state of Connecticut recently adopted a measure that would fine drivers who did not remove snow and ice from their vehicles prior to driving on the roadway. Ice and snow from moving vehicles becomes a hazard when it flies off and can cause damage to a person or vehicle upon impact.

Fines would start at $75 for failing to remove snow or ice from the vehicle and go up to $1,250 if snow or ice flies off a commercial truck causing injury or damage. Some trucking associations oppose the bill, saying it is impractical and even impossible to clear the ice and snow off a large semi tractor-trailer, and that even roof heating systems are not wholly successful.

Finances are always a concern for commercial trucking companies. If you need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, today by calling 800-207-7661.

Road freight has been interrupted this week after torrential rains and severe flooding have shut down many Nashville roads. Some roads were under several feet of water. Interstate 24 was closed in several places throughout Davidson County, Tenn.

People have been encouraged by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to not drive at all until the water recedes. Interstate 40 has also been closed in several places due to flooding as well. Freight loads will have to detour significantly to bypass flooding.

If you need to free up your cash flow but your shipments are being delayed, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, today by calling 800-207-7661.

Canada offered to put $550 million toward a proposed new bridge between Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario, as part of a strategy to remove obstacles to the bridge's construction. In the proposal, future toll collections would be used to repay Canada's contribution.

Trucking and auto industries on both sides of the border are encouraging state lawmakers to proceed with the proposed bridge. The owner of the existing bridge wants to expand his bridge rather than allow a new one to be built. He is fighting the measure by saying that construction jobs would all go to Canadians as a result of the loan.

If you are in the trucking industry and need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, at 800-207-7661.

U.S. truck tonnage in March saw the biggest increase since January 2005, American Trucking Associations reported. Tonnage jumped 7.5 percent from a year ago. The numbers declined a little from January to February, but the index rose 0.4 percent in March.

American Trucking Associations seasonally adjusted the index, and economists predict the recovery of the motor carrier industry. Economists report that both supply and demand are improving.

If you are in the trucking industry and need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, at 800-207-7661.

Employment in the trucking industry increased slightly during the month of March with 600 more workers than in February, the U.S. Labor Department reported. As America emerges from the recession, this number could continue to increase if job growth accelerates in the months ahead.

The growth is partly due to higher employment in the manufacturing, construction and retail industries, all of which rely on trucking. Despite the jump in trucking jobs, however, the national unemployment rate remained steady at 9.7 percent.

If you are in the trucking industry and need to free up your cash flow, contact TBS Truck Factoring, LLC, at 800-207-7661.