Government

Louisiana officials recently celebrated the completion of a project linking two interstate highways in the northern part of the state. The Interstate 49 North project in Shreveport creates an interchange with I-220.

PHARR, Texas — Despite the South Texas trade community’s concern a year ago about the future of free trade with Mexico, 643,313 trucks crossed northbound over the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge over the last 12 months, an increase of nearly 37,000 from the previous year.

INDIANAPOLIS — Sales of Class 8 natural gas fueled trucks are rising, grants and incentives for using alternative fuels are expanding and more related regulations are coming as major shippers pursue environmental sustainability, experts said at an industry forum here.

The White House next year intends to promote a robust infrastructure agenda and will expect Congress to produce legislation that would ensure long-term funding for roads and bridges, senior Republican policymakers in the U.S. House told Transport Topics in recent interviews.

Traffic congestion on the nation’s highways added $74.5 billion in operational costs to the trucking industry in 2016, according to the American Transportation Research Institute’s recent analysis.

Many of the nation’s ports continue to see growth in import and export activity, as retailers gear up for what is expected to be a strong fourth quarter and holiday shopping season.

BALTIMORE — Infrastructure funding programs across several states eventually will serve as models for federal transportation agencies, experts at a conference hosted by a tolling advocacy group indicated Oct. 15.

U.S. e-commerce companies including Amazon.com and shippers such as FedEx Corp. and UPS Inc. stand to gain from the Trump administration’s move Oct. 17 to withdraw from an international postal agreement.

Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, the ranking member of the transportation committee, is one of several Democrats on the midterm ballot. Here's how transportation Democrats may fare.