DOT invites trucking’s comments as Duffy kicks off highway reauthorization

Trucking news and briefs for Friday, July 18, 2025:

DOT asks for public input on upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy on Thursday hosted a conference for members of Congress and industry to foster collaboration ahead of Congress’s surface transportation reauthorization process later this fall.U.S. Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation will accept public comments to gather feedback from transportation stakeholders on the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization legislation.

The current authorization for funding of federal surface transportation programs — the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — is set to expire Sept. 30, 2026. “In preparation for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill,” the DOT said in a Federal Register notice that will officially publish Monday, July 21, “and to ensure that the public’s perspectives and ideas are considered, the Department of Transportation invites the public to provide ideas, comments, and information for consideration in the development of the next surface transportation authorizing legislation.”

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy kicked off the surface transportation reauthorization effort Thursday with an event that brought together Congressional members and infrastructure stakeholders to foster collaboration on priorities ahead of Congress’s work on the next reauthorization, often referred to with the “highway bill” shorthand. 

“Our mission is to build as quickly and as much as possible,” Duffy said. “So, we’re working through a historic backlog as fast as possible to make sure we can get money out the door to all of you to make sure these projects are moving and moving quickly. With our money, we want you to build as fast, and we want to streamline the rules and regulations around what you do as much as possible.”

During his remarks Thursday, Duffy outlined President Donald Trump’s “America is Building Again” agenda. Truck parking was highlighted as one of many areas DOT is focusing on.

[Related: FMCSA Administrator nominee Derek Barrs makes first Congressional appearance]

In seeking public feedback, DOT said it’s looking for comments from entities significantly affected by DOT administrative actions, including: state, local, and tribal governments; small businesses; consumers; non-governmental organizations; transportation system operators and service providers; and manufacturers and their trade associations.

These individuals and organizations “can provide valuable insight and suggestions to support the development of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill to address the nation’s most essential infrastructure needs,” DOT added. “As we approach reauthorization, DOT seeks to engage a broad range of stakeholders to assess what has worked, what needs improvement, and what new priorities should be included.”

[Related: What road gets your nomination for worst in the nation?]

The information gathered could help inform legislative priorities as Congress begins working toward a new highway bill.

“The reauthorization effort will focus on modernizing America’s infrastructure by improving safety, streamlining federal processes, promoting economic growth, and strengthening partnerships,” DOT concluded in the notice.

Those interested in filing comments can do so at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0468 beginning Monday, July 21.

[Related: Truck parking, autonomous trucking, ELP: DOT Secretary Duffy weighs in at Congressional hearing]

Online seminar offers boat haulers tips on preventing spread of aquatic invasive species

Boat haulers and brokers are coming together with marina managers across the nation for a virtual event slated for Tuesday, Aug. 9, to discuss key challenges contributing to the interstate transport of aquatic invasive species via watercraft and other water conveyances. Registration for the event is open to all via this link. 

The discussion’s intended to be nationwide in scope, noted Lisa DeBruyckere in a message about it sent to Overdrive. Regular readers may recall DeBruyckere’s work with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to detail their 24/7 Call Before You Haul hotline for boat transporters for a pre-trip inspection assist to help prevent accidental spread. 

“The discussion and perspectives shared during the webinar will inform a series of focus groups to take key next steps to prevent the interstate spread of aquatic invasive species,” Debruyckere noted. “We’ll be discussing many strategies, from adding language to marina slip leases and rules, to incorporating aquatic invasive species messaging into apps frequently used by boaters, to exploring ways to ensure used boats that are sold” get the recommend Clean, Drain, and Dry treatment before transport.

Truckers’ expertise and experience, she added, “would greatly inform next steps.”

Register for the event at this link. 

More information about the Call Before You Haul boat-transport hotline here. 

[Related: Built for the hammer lane: Retired boat hauler’s one-of-a-kind Frankstein ‘One Piece at a Time’]

California troopers: Don’t toss weed from truck while speeding

The California Highway Patrol’s Mountain Pass Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility is reminding truck drivers that having alcohol or drugs in a commercial vehicle is a violation of regulations.

According to a Facebook post from the agency, a truck driver who was being pulled over for allegedly speeding (approximately 73 in California’s 55 mph limit for trucks), tossed a package of marijuana cigarettes out the window in the process. The photo of the ticket also shows the driver was cited for having no logbook.

CHP said the driver’s actions earned a “24-hour ‘time-out’ to reflect on some less-than-stellar decision-making.”

[Related: Marijuana legalization, trucking, and the future of drug testing]

Daimler rolls 850,000th truck from North Carolina assembly plant

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA) earlier this month announced the production of its 850,000th truck at its Cleveland, North Carolina, manufacturing plant, marking a major milestone in the company’s U.S. manufacturing legacy.

The milestone vehicle – a Western Star 47X – was delivered to Alamo Group, a long-standing DTNA customer. The truck will be provided to Alamo Group’s Snow & Ice Team, which delivers a full suite of solutions designed for municipal, highway, and airport winter maintenance operations.

“We’re honored to receive this milestone truck and continue our strong relationship with DTNA,” said Jean Philippe Bourque, group vice president of Alamo Group’s Snow and Ice Division. “The Western Star 47X is a critical part of our portfolio, and our customers value the reliability, performance, and support that comes with it.”

Established in 1989, DTNA’s Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant is the company’s largest heavy-duty truck plant in the U.S., spanning 1.2 million square feet on 178 acres. The facility employs approximately 2,000 people and right now assembles the Fifth Generation Freightliner Cascadia and Western Star 47X and 49X.

As one out of nine North American manufacturing plants, the Cleveland plant is known for its flexible, complex manufacturing capabilities, integrating cutting-edge robotics and advanced lean manufacturing techniques. Despite the plant’s cutting-edge infrastructure, much of the truck assembly remains hands-on reflecting the precision, and craftsmanship the team brings to every Western Star built. It’s this balance of advanced technology and dedicated workmanship that defines DTNA’s approach to quality.

“Reaching 850,000 trucks is a testament to the dedication of our Cleveland team and the strength of our manufacturing processes,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. “This plant is not only a cornerstone of our production network – it’s a vital part of the Rowan County community here in the Carolinas.”

The Cleveland plant is also a leader in sustainability, operating as a zero-waste-to-landfill facility and contributing to DTNA’s broader goal of significantly reducing its environmental footprint by 2030 through improvements in emissions, water use, waste management, and energy efficiency.