Don’t want to read listen here
DOT's Proposed Rulemaking
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has proposed changes to its drug and alcohol testing rules. The most significant changes for drivers are:
Adding Fentanyl to the Drug Test: Fentanyl and a related substance (norfentanyl) would be added to the list of drugs that DOT-regulated drivers are tested for.
Other Changes: The proposal also includes several technical and procedural changes, such as modifying the testing panels for other drugs, updating definitions, and altering some training and collection procedures.
How it will Change and Affect Drivers
New Drug to Avoid: If a driver tests positive for fentanyl, they could face the same consequences as testing positive for any other illegal drug on the DOT's list, which can include removal from safety-sensitive duties.
Expanded Testing: The proposal also authorizes "biomarker testing," which could lead to new types of drug tests in the future.
Procedural Updates: While the other proposed changes are more technical, they could affect how and when a driver's drug or alcohol test is conducted, particularly with new rules around oral fluid testing and the training requirements for collectors.
Note: This is a proposed rule, not a final one. The comment period for the NPRM closes on October 17, 2025. Comments to the docket can be submitted using this link https://www.regulations.gov/docket/DOT-OST-2025-0049/document.
Who new we could have been using fentanyl all this time.
The way some of these guy drive maybe they are! 😉
From the Louisiana Dept. of Transportation
DOTD signs official public-private partnership with Calcasieu Bridge Partners on Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 3:46:16 PM
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced on Wednesday the signing of the official, public-private partnership (P3) with Calcasieu Bridge Partners to build the new Interstate 10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, an estimated $2.1 billion project.The Joint Legislative Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee approved the P3 between DOTD and CBP during its meeting Tuesday.The project is a 5.5-mile corridor stretching from near Ryan Street in Lake Charles to the I-210 and I-10 interchange in Westlake. Along with the new bridge and approaches, the project includes the interstate roadways and ramps, the I-10 service roads, and interchanges at PPG Drive, Sampson Street, and North Lakeshore/Ryan Street that connect the interstate to state roads and local streets. Sampson Street will be elevated over the railroad tracks to eliminate blockages from trains.The existing bridge was built in the early 1950s and predates the interstate system. It is narrow, lacks shoulders, and has steep approach grades. Conversely, the new bridge will be lower and not as steep, have more lanes, full shoulders, and roadway lighting.Gov. Jeff Landry said moving this long-awaited project forward will bring about a bridge that meets all modern travel standards. Similarly, building the new bridge and expanding the I-10 corridor will open the door to more opportunities for economic growth throughout Southwest Louisiana and the state.“Getting this deal secured in a way that was best suited for the Southwest Louisiana region was one of my administration’s top goals when I took office,” said Gov. Landry. “With today’s signature, we have proven that we are committed to investing in infrastructure that will significantly benefit Louisiana and the I-10 corridor, and give the Lake Charles region a potential revenue stream for generations to come.”DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue said this project has been years in the making, and the updated bridge will provide a better traveling experience for the thousands of travelers who cross it daily.“Southwest Louisiana residents have waited decades for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge,” he said. “Now, it’s more than just a pipe dream. We at DOTD are pleased to see this project advance. Motorists can look forward to an upgraded bridge that will be in line with today’s regulations.”
The total anticipated cost of the project is $2.1 billion, $1.2 billion of which is coming from various sources of state and federal funds. Calcasieu Bridge Partners will cover the remaining costs and recoup its investments using a toll system once construction is complete. CBP will oversee the construction, maintenance, and operation of the new toll bridge.Tolling will not begin until the new bridge is open to traffic, and only vehicles crossing the bridge will be subject to a toll. Toll rates have been set at 2023 dollars, and they will be adjusted over time based upon the Consumer Price Index.
You should expect long delays when traffic is diverted to I-210 because it is a very crowded roadway already and adding the I-10 traffic will over burden this roadway greatly. Also, I expect when it’s done many drivers will still take I-210 to avoid the toll and many company may force their drivers to go around.
Autonomous Trucking: A Look at Key Developments
The autonomous trucking industry is accelerating toward commercial deployment, with major players like Plus, Kodiak Robotics, and Aurora making significant strides.
Plus is nearing its goal of a 2027 factory-built truck launch, having achieved 86% safety case readiness.
Kodiak Robotics is currently testing driverless technology with human observers and plans for a fully driverless launch by the second half of 2026.
Aurora has started commercial operations in Texas, including a brief period of fully driverless trucks. They've also partnered with McLeod Software to launch the first Transport Management System (TMS) for autonomous trucking.
The industry is also focusing on infrastructure development, with new test courses and "truckports" being built to support the technology. These advancements are seen as a potential solution to the driver shortage in the U.S. and a way to improve road safety, though regulatory compliance and integration with existing logistics remain key challenges.
I suspect they will target LTL linehaul operation among the first sector, However, don’t think your job will be unaffected because if a large number of linehaul drivers are displaced it will reduce the demand for drivers and drive down wages in other sectors.
There is Good News in the Trucking Market
The trucking industry is showing signs of stabilization and potential recovery after a prolonged soft market. A key factor has been the correction of a post-pandemic oversupply of drivers, which is helping to rebalance market capacity and improve freight volume.
Freight Volume and Rates: The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) was up 1.9% year-over-year as of January 2025. Spot rates saw inflationary growth of 6.5% in the second quarter of 2025, while contract rates increased by a modest 1.1% in the same period.
Segment-Specific Performance:
Truckload: Performance has been mixed. Schneider National reported an 8% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2025, while Marten Transport saw a 5.4% decline in its truckload segment in the same quarter.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Some top carriers experienced growth in 2024. Estes Express Lines saw an 18% revenue increase, and XPO's LTL operations grew by almost 5%. However, FedEx Freight and Old Dominion Freight Line both saw slight annual revenue declines in 2024.
Air/Expedited: This sector generally outperformed other motor carriers, with Covenant Logistics Group posting an 8.9% increase in expedited revenue in 2024.
Employment and Equipment: Trucking jobs were up year-to-date as of May 2025. However, orders for new Class 8 trucks have been dropping in 2025, reflecting the financial pressures of a soft freight market and high interest rates.
Brake Check—
I wonder if everyone is just going to stand by and watch the AI trucks take away their jobs? It seem to me that if only there was some kind of organization that could band drivers together as a group to force companies to sign contracts that wouldn’t allow them to ever implement autonomous truck while they still can this industry could be saved for generations of drivers to come. It is to bad there is no such organization to prevent 3.5 million people from losing their livelihood.
I mean there is the Teamsters but they have been content to let small outfits grow in to huge companies without even introducing themselves and thereby presiding over the failure of one company after another as they were unable to compete on price. Fun fact they are putting themselves out of business at the same time. I suppose they will stand idle and let this happen as well!
That’s it for this addition don’t forget to subscribe and share with all the drivers you know and some you don’t.