PMTA will post updated information here as this situation develops

UPDATE: 6/14/23 10:30 AM 

PennDOT changes Southbound detour route

I-95 remains closed in both directions from Exit 22 to Exit 35. 

PennDOT has updated detour information for drivers heading southbound. 

UPDATED Southbound Detour: Use Exit 30 to Right on Bleigh Ave. to Left on State Road (SR) 1007 with reentry to I-95 South at Longshore Ave. 

The northbound detour remains the same. 

Northbound Detour: Use Exit 22 to I-676 WB to I-76 WB to US 1 NB to PA 63 EB to I-95 NB. 

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UPDATE: 6/11/23 9:00 PM 

PA Emergency Management Agency says it will take months to fully repair I-95

According to Molly Dougherty with PA Emergency Management Agency, a truck carrying a petroleum product caught on fire under I-95 before 6:30 AM Sunday, June 11. The northbound lane collapsed and the southbound lane is impassable. I-95 is shut down in both directions. 

Dougherty says the cause of the incident is under investigation. 

PA Emergency Management is working with The City of Philadelphia to establishing detours. The city is relying on mass transit to compensate for the loss of the I-95 corridor.

Preliminary estimates determine it will take months to repair the damage. 

Penn DOT has established a Website for updates on this incident, further updates from the state will be shared here:  https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx

As always, additional alerts and detour information can be found at https://www.511pa.com/

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Due to a bridge collapse, north and southbound lanes of I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia are closed from Exit 22 to Exit 35.

We are waiting for more information from law enforcement on the details of the incident. 

PennDOT released detours for I-95 drivers. 

PennDOT is directing all I-95 NB traffic to use Exit 22 to I-676 WB to I-76 WB to US 1 NB to PA 63 EB to I-95 NB. 

PennDOT is directing all I-95 SB traffic to use Exit 35 to PA 63 WB to US 1 SB to I-76 EB to I-676 EB to I-95 SB.

Sunday morning, Philadelphia managing director Tumar Alexander told the Philadelphia Inquirer,  “I-95 will be impacted for a long time, for a long time." 

PMTA encourages drivers to check https://www.511pa.com/ for up to date alerts and information. 

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) President and CEO Rebecca Oyler shared testimony on catalytic converter theft for a House Consumer, Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee hearing.

The public hearing discussed House Bill 791. The bill would amend the Scrap Material Theft Prevention Act and require scrap processors and recycling facility operators to collect more information when someone brings in a catalytic converter.

The bill would require anyone turning in a catalytic converter to provide information on the year, make, model, and VIN of the car or truck the converter is from, a photo of the converter, and a photo of the seller.

The bill also would require a processor and operator to withhold payment for 48 hours and keep the converter intact and safe.

Oyler says PMTA supports the bill, saying trucks are particularly vulnerable to catalytic converter theft.

In her testimony Oyler shared four main points:

 

·         Many trucks have more than one catalytic converter.

·         Truck catalytic converters generally fetch high prices in the aftermarket. Even small trucks, which are typically used by small businesses to haul their trailers, are in demand. The Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 are the 2nd and 3rd most expensive catalytic converters.

·         Catalytic converters are often more exposed and vulnerable to theft on trucks, especially box trucks that sit high off the ground and are easier to slide under. Depending on the type of truck, catalytic converters are sometimes installed in locations where thieves can access them without jacks or even having to get under the truck.

·         Trucks are often parked closely together at dealers, truck rental companies, and small businesses with truck fleets, allowing thieves to target multiple vehicles quicker and more easily. Catalytic converters from newer vehicles fetch a higher price than from older vehicles, making truck dealers an especially vulnerable target.

She says while all car-owners are targets, this crime is particularly devastating for truck drivers.

“For many drivers, their trucks are their livelihoods,” Oyler said. “For small businesses, trucks are often the only way they can get to their job sites and customers, deliver their products or provide their services. Putting their trucks out of commission puts their business out of commission.”

Oyler says the cost of replacing a new catalytic converter can range from $1,000 to $2,500, and that doesn’t factor in the business lost due to the truck being out of service.

In her testimony, Oyler points to several examples of catalytic converter theft in Pennsylvania.

•       A family-owned fireplace store in Larksville having both catalytic converters stolen from its only truck.
•         A local HVAC parts distributor’s trucks targeted in 2022.
•        A family farm in Brownsville found trucks stripped of catalytic converters.
•       At a business in Upper Moreland, catalytic converters were stolen out of 14 work trucks.
•         In January, three men were charged in Allegheny County for stealing catalytic converters from dozens of businesses and individuals in three counties, including tow trucks.

At the hearing, the bill’s primary sponsor Mary Isaacson, testified that catalytic converter theft has been a problem for years but has significantly worsened during the pandemic. She said the purpose of her bill is to provide a tool for people to seek relief and potentially recover from these thefts. She acknowledged the concerns about imposing additional regulations on the scrap metal industry but says it is an area where stolen products are likely being sold. She said involving the industry could help identify and recover stolen converters.

To read more about the bill, click here. 

To read Rebecca Oyler’s testimony in full, click here. 

Is there someone on your staff going above and beyond to build a safe culture for your company?

Applications for the 2023 J. J. Keller Safety Professional of the Year (SPOTY) Award are now open. The prestigious North American awards highlight excellence in building a culture and vision for safety.

Environmental health and safety professionals can apply for the SPOTY Awards directly, or be nominated by someone else.

The winning safety professionals will be chosen by a panel from J. J. Keller’s staff of 75+ safety consultants and experts.  They are acknowledged industry leaders with a combined 500+ years of experience. The winners will be announced in September.

“The SPOTY Awards differ from many other company-wide awards in the industry because they focus on the personal commitment and influence of the safety professionals who are on the ground doing the hard work of keeping people safe every day,” said Rustin Keller, president and CEO of J. J. Keller.

The first-place J. J. Keller SPOTY Award winner will receive a prize package totaling more than $20,000 in value. It includes:

•      $2,500 to be donated by J. J. Keller to the winner’s nonprofit 501(c)3 organization of choice.
•      A free one-year subscription to the J. J. Keller® SAFETY MANAGEMENT SUITE for the winner and their staff (up to 10 users.)
•      $1,200 in free online training from J. J. Keller.
•       $200 toward J. J. Keller® SAFEGEAR^TM PPE.
•      A commemorative plaque

The winner and their company will also be featured in a webcast by J. J. Keller in October 2023.

Second place receives a $500 donation to the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of their choice, a free one-year subscription to the J. J. Keller® SAFETY MANAGEMENT SUITE, $250 toward J. J. Keller® SAFEGEAR^TM PPE and a commemorative plaque.

Third place receives a $100 donation to the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of their choice, a free one-year subscription to the J. J. Keller® SAFETY MANAGEMENT SUITE, $200 toward J. J. Keller® SAFEGEAR^TM PPE and a commemorative plaque.

“Safety is one of the most important things a company can provide for employees,” said Keller. “We want to honor safety professionals who create a safety culture every day.”

Open applications can be found through July 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. CST, by clicking here.  

The PMTA Allied Committee is hosting a legislative outlook and networking event Monday June 12.

Senator Scott Martin (R-Berks, Lancaster) will be sharing information on upcoming legislation and industry topics.

Following Sen. Martin’s presentation, our event sponsors will share presentations and there will be time for networking.

The event is free for attendees, though there are still sponsorship opportunities available.

The event will be at The Pheasant Room at the Pheasant Run Bed and Breakfast located at 200 Marticville Road in Lancaster from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Hors D’oeuvres will be served.

To sign up, click here. 

PMTA is pleased to welcome Megan Magensky to the team as our director of communications.

With an insider knowledge of the news and communication industry, Megan will handle communication with press, PMTA’s social media, website and the quarterly PennTrux publication. She will also work with PMTA’s team to promote membership, manage events, and make sure the public understands the critical role of trucks in Pennsylvania.

“We are excited to have Megan on board at PMTA,” said Rebecca Oyler, PMTA President & CEO. “Her experience as a reporter gives us a fresh perspective on how to tell the story of trucking in a compelling and meaningful way. We appreciate her enthusiasm and are looking forward to her new ideas and efforts on behalf of our members.”

Megan has lived in Central Pennsylvania since 2020. She spent the last several years working as a reporter for CBS 21 News in Harrisburg.

On the CBS 21 News team, Megan covered the I-83 South Bridge Tolling projectand PennDOT’s funding challenges through the state fuel tax and infrastructure legislation.

“I’m thrilled to be with PMTA,” said Megan. “I’ve spent years telling stories about the transportation industry, and I’m excited to get to know some of the people affected by what I’ve reported on.”

Megan has degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Musical Theatre from Columbia College Chicago. She describes herself as a “total theatre nerd” enjoying local performances on the weekend.

In addition to Central PA and Chicago, Megan lived in Southeastern Washington where she reported for KEPR Action News covering wildfires and other breaking news. Originally, she’s from Northeast Ohio, though she’s a Pittsburgh sports fan.

At PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference on April 20, awards were presented to two PMTA members and one PMTA Chapter for promoting membership growth in the organization.

The President’s Award was to be presented to the single member who refers the most new members to PMTA in 2022 membership year. However, last year, there was a tie for members referred, so two members received President’s Award plaques. Dale Knox of Vorzik Transport, Inc.  and Brian Wanner of Peters Brothers, Inc. were both recognized for growing PMTA’s membership in 2022 and making the association stronger. Thank you, gentlemen, for your commitment to PMTA!

Both Brian and Dale will receive a free AMC registration next year as well as a meal with a guest and PMTA’s president as a special thank you.

In addition, the new Chapter Challenge Award was presented to the PMTA chapter that was able to grow its membership by the highest percentage. For the 2022 membership year, the Chapter Challenge awardee was the Northwest Chapter. PMTA will host an event for the winning chapter of their choice to celebrate their success.

Both of these challenges are continuing during 2023 as PMTA seeks to grow its membership. Let the competition begin for the following membership growth awards!

• Chapter Challenge Award for the single PMTA chapter that is able to grow its membership by the highest percentage during the calendar year. Every chapter represents PMTA in its local community, and its members are colleagues and associates of other local businesspeople. They are often the first encounter these companies have with PMTA, so chapters are membership representatives in their communities. 

• President’s Award for the PMTA member who refers the most new members to PMTA in 2023 membership year. As PMTA grows, so does its strength and influence. PMTA members are our best salespeople, and word of mouth is our best advertisement. We encourage members to discuss the benefits of PMTA with colleagues and refer them for membership. This award recognizes the most successful of our membership advocates.

Both awards will be presented at next year’s Annual Membership Conference (May 5-7) at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon, Naples, FL.

PMTA recently joined a coalition of associations and chambers of commerce in the state to sign onto a memo to policymakers in Harrisburg urging reform of the state's permitting process. 

Long delays and a lack of transparency in permitting make Pennsylvania a less competitive state for business, increasing the cost of development and expansion for trucking companies as well as critical industries like warehousing and manufacturing.

Permitting red tape also affects the availability of trucking support facilities like truck stops and critically needed parking facilities. Permitting delays can be a hindrance to timely and competitive infrastructure development, delaying and increasing the cost of critical improvements to roads and bridges.

For these reasons, PMTA supports efforts to modernize and streamline permitting in Pennsylvania. SB 350 passed the PA Senate on May 10 by a vote of 29-19 and is now headed to the PA House of Representatives. 

To: The Honorable Gov. Shapiro and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

Date: May 8th, 2023

Re: Support SB 350: Reforming Pennsylvania’s Permit Process

Dear The Honorable Governor Shapiro and Honorable Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly,

On behalf of chambers of commerce and associations representing the state’s key industries and professions, we collectively urge the administration, House and Senate to fix the commonwealth’s dysfunctional and unpredictable permitting system. Doing so will result in greater opportunity for our residents, a modernized system of infrastructure, and encourage more investment into our state.

Pennsylvania has tremendous potential to lead the region and nation in a dynamic 21st century economy. However, as has been made clear throughout budget hearings, the commonwealth has too often lost out on investment to other states, and our inadequate permitting system is one key factor. The current process takes too long, lacks transparency, and costs businesses money and good-paying jobs for our state’s workers.

Lawmakers and the administration have increasingly recognized how the state’s existing permitting process is a major obstacle to new and expanded investment, and we appreciate those focusing on permitting reform as a priority, including in the Governor’s budget address and discussions with cabinet nominees before House and Senate appropriations committees. We further support executive action already taken related to permitting and encourage the administration and General Assembly to work collectively, build on executive orders and improved management, and enact durable and lasting reforms to the state’s permitting process.

Permitting reform will unlock a more efficient and modernized system of public infrastructure, facilitate re-shored investment into advanced manufacturing, and provide more opportunity for hardworking Pennsylvanians.

Reform should be built upon the tenets of predictability, transparency, efficiency, and durability, leveraged against a state budget that ensures adequate resources in terms of personnel and information technology. Now is the time to coalesce around meaningful reforms that will allow our state to truly compete and lead. Doing so will build upon bipartisan momentum at the federal level to streamline permitting and unlock American investment.

We have a generational opportunity to meaningfully change the economic trajectory of our state and communities. We stand ready to partner with you all as you tackle this important challenge.

Thank you for your consideration on this critical issue!

From:

Chambers of Commerce

Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

Bedford County Chamber of Commerce

Blair County Chamber of Commerce

Butler County Chamber of Commerce

Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce

Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry

Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry

Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce

Exton Region Chamber of Commerce

Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce

Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Greencastle- Antrim Chamber of Commerce

Greene County Chamber of Commerce

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Harrisburg Regional Chamber

Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce

Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Monroeville Chamber of Commerce

Norwin Chamber of Commerce

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Perry County Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce

Somerset County Chamber of Commerce

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce

TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce

Venango Area Chamber of Commerce

West Shore Chamber of Commerce

York County Economic Alliance

Pennsylvania Employer Associations

Associated Builders and Contractors- Keystone Chapter

Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association

API Pennsylvania

Associated Builders and Constructors of Western PA

Associated Pennsylvania Constructors

Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania

Consumer Energy Alliance

Energy Association of Pennsylvania

Keystone Contractors Association

Life Sciences Pennsylvania

Manufacturer & Business Association

Marcellus Shale Coalition

National Federation of Independent Business

Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association

Pennsylvania Association of Realtors

Pennsylvania Builders Association

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council

Pennsylvania Coal Alliance

Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association 

Pennsylvania Forest Products Association

Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association

Pennsylvania Medical Society

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

Pennsylvania Telephone Association

The final rule on procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs has been published in Federal Register volume 88 number 84 on May 2, 2023.  This is Docket Number DOT-OST-2021-0093 and allows for the addition of oral fluid specimen testing for use of drugs.

According to the register, the testing of oral fluids will eliminate some cheating that has been a problem with testing of urine specimens.  It will also be more convenient for the collection personnel and less intrusive for the specimen donor.

The oral fluid testing cannot proceed until at least two laboratories are certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The Federal Register also contains some amendments to FAA, FMCSA, FRA and FTA regulations by removing or adjusting references to the term “urine” and/or add references to oral fluids as well as some other technical changes.

This final rule is effective June 1, 2023.

PMTA will continue to monitor the situation and inform members about Pennsylvania providers of oral fluid specimen testing when they become available.

PMTA's Safety Management Council proudly recognized the safest carriers in Pennsylvania at PMTA's annual Fleet Safety Luncheon, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. The luncheon took place at PMTA's Annual Membership Conference (AMC) on April 19 in Bedford Springs. 

This year, companies were recognized based on mileage-based categories instead of the divisions that were used in the past, with first, second, and third place awarded to the top three companies in each category. 

The prestigious Fleet Safety President's Trophy is presented annually to the motor carrier that exceeds the stringent safety criteria established by the SMC for accidents based on miles traveled. This year, the President's Trophy was presented to PGT Trucking. 

2022 PMTA FLEET SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

1 million miles to 4 million miles

First place           GFI Transport

Second place     CVS Transportation

Third place         CLI/Sheetz

4 million miles to 9 million miles

First place           Magnolia Logistics, Inc.

Second place     Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.

Third place         Southern Pines Trucking, Inc.

Over 9 million miles

First place           Sherwin-Williams/CTS

Second place     CLI, Inc.

Third Place         PGT Trucking

President’s Trophy

PGT Trucking

Congratulations to the safest fleets in Pennsylvania!

No entries were received for the 100,000 - 1 million mile category this year. Next year, all fleets, including PMTA's smallest, are encouraged to apply for this recognition so that PMTA can continue to highlight our members for their stellar records of safety on the road.

At an April 19 session at PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference in Bedford Springs, Director of Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office Matt Knittel shared a state economic and budget update with attendees and later posted his presentation on the office’s website (www.ifo.state.pa.us). The presentation shared information relevant to the PA trucking industry of interest to members, including statewide economic trends, industry trends, and state revenue proposals. Please see Knittel’s presentation below.