A federal appeals court has again ruled that the government’s cross-border trucking pilot program, which allows approved Mexican fleets to operate throughout the United States, can go forward.

A federal appeals court has upheld the U.S. government’s cross-border Mexico trucking plan, rejecting challenges brought by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the Teamsters union.

The number of commercial trucks that crossed into the United States from Mexico and Canada rose 3.6% last year from 2011, the Department of Transportation said Friday.

For the second time in the past several months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have delayed implementation of a controversial plan requiring motor carriers and exporters to report even small amounts of cargo residue when returning from deliveries in Canada and Mexico.

American Trucking Associations and nearly two dozen other business groups in recent weeks have re-affirmed their support of Alan Bersin as commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Trucking industry leaders in both Canada and the United States applauded an agreement between the two nations to spend the next two years streamlining and coordinating the plethora of agencies and regulations that govern security and freight movement at their border.

The Department of Transportation has finally taken the first, tentative step toward resolving the long-running battle with Mexico over opening the common border to commercial trucking between the nations.

Safety and security remain a top concern for fleets crossing both the northern and southern borders, and motor carriers — including Celadon Group Inc. and Trimac Transportation Services Inc., Calgary, Alberta — are turning to the latest technology, electronic transmissions and voluntary government programs to streamline crossings and protect their freight.