Updates from Louisiana's Transportation Industry!

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ICYMI: Joint Transportation Committee to Meet to Discuss Toll | Aug 22

The next step to approving the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge toll is quickly approaching! 

 

For the tolling plan to be approved, it MUST pass through several steps and a hearing before the Joint Transportation Committee is one of them. This is not a meeting to approve the toll but is a meeting for the legislature to get public feedback on the toll. The meeting is set for Tuesday, August 22, we need your testimony on how this toll will affect your business! We need you to show up to the State Capitol on August 22 at 10 am in Room 1 ready to share your story!

 

In addition to sharing your testimony, please complete the 3 actions below to let lawmakers know that you oppose the toll.

WE NEED YOU TO ACT NOW!

We NEED 3 ACTION ITEMS FROM YOU!

 

1.) Using this link, contact your state lawmakers to let them know you do not support this toll. 

2.) Contact lawmakers that you know on the Transportation Committees. Their names and emails can be found here.

3.) Share this LMTA post on Facebook and any other social media platforms. 

 

As we are sure you know by now, DOTD has released it's proposed toll on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.

  • Local Auto: $0.25 (Toll Tag) | N/A (Non-Toll Tag) | $0.13 (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Auto: $2.55 (Toll Tag) | $3.75 (Non-Toll Tag) | $1.25 (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Medium Truck: $2.55 (Toll Tag) | $3.82 (Non-Toll Tag) | N/A (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Large Truck: $12.50 (Toll Tag) | $18.73 (Non-Toll Tag) | N/A (Peak Hour HOV Rate)

The truck toll would be $12.50. These proposed toll rates confirm what the LMTA predicted - this bridge will be funded largely by silently taxing the truckers. 

 

This toll has the potential to add MILLIONS of dollars to medium and large carriers' operational costs. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association released a letter opposing the toll and it's impact on trucker (viewed here). 
 

NATMI's Professional Development Program | Aug + Sept

AUG 23- 24 PROGRAM

NATMI’s nationally recognized, university-accredited Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) program is coming to Louisiana Aug 23-24! CDT is a "train-the-trainer" course for professionals responsible for developing and implementing professional driver training programs.

 

This course is the first step toward earning a credential to help you become a more competent professional and earn industry recognition and credibility in court testimony. If you have the job experience, you can pay one lump sum that covers all fees for certification and complete the process within a 60-day time frame – or less.

 

The LMTA Safety Management Council will host a two-day NATMI CDT course from Aug 23-24, at the LMTA office. More information regarding NATMI and program details can be found below.

 

NATMI Certified Driver Trainer (CDT) Course

Aug 23-24, 2023 | 8:00am - 5:00 pm

LMTA Office

4838 Bennington Avenue

Baton Rouge, LA | 70808

Register Now!
 

SEPT 25-29 PROGRAM

NATMI's Certified Director or Supervisor of Safety (CDS/CSS) program is coming back to Louisiana Sept 25-29.

 

This 4.5 day course includes two courses held back-to-back. Motor Fleet Safety Basics (first 2-days) and Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs (second 2 days).

 

More information regarding NATMI and program details can be found below.

 

NATMI Certified Director or Supervisor of Safety (CDS/CSS) Course

Sept 25-29, 2023 | 8:00am - 5:00 pm

LMTA Office

4838 Bennington Avenue

Baton Rouge, LA | 70808

Register Now!
 

Doug Williams 2023 T.H. Davidge Award Recipient Thanks Association

The Louisiana Motor Transport Association honored our 2023 T.H. Davidge Award recipient during the association's 2023 Annual Convention held at The Lodge in Gulf Shores, AL. 
 
Doug Williams, General Counsel of the LMTA and partner of Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson LLP was selected as the 2023 recipient of the LMTA's most prestigious award. 
 
LMTA established the T.H. Davidge Memorial Award in 1989 in memory of a person who worked tirelessly for the trucking industry and whose support of LMTA was second to none. Although he is no longer with us, Mr. Davidge's commitment and dedication is embodied in the individuals who have received the award that bears his name. 

 

Nominees for this award must be an LMTA member in good standing who has rendered years of outstanding service to the trucking industry and to the association. Nominees are individuals of integrity who have served unselfishly at the local, state, or national level - all qualities that perfectly describe Mr. Williams and his service to the association.

 

VIEW WILLIAMS THANK YOU LETTER TO ASSOCIATION

 

WATCH:

 

IFTA Audit

Chairman of the Board, Cully Frisard, has asked the LMTA to share the following information regarding the funding from IFTA to the Transportation Trust Fund. 

 

Below are the documents from the Louisiana Office of the Treasury confirming funding.
 

Current Emergency Declarations

All Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions and Permits

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations
 
Arkansas Proclamation State of Emergency 6.25.23
 

Kentucky Official Order 113350

(Suspension of Registration Requirements, and Exemption of Hours of Service and Stoppage at Weigh Stations)
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/kentucky-official-order-113350
 

Texas Proclamation 23-0017 for Severe Weather
 

Vermont Emergency Declaration 

(Vermont faces the imminent likelihood of excessive rain combined with water runoff, flooding, erosion)

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/vermont-emergency-declaration-070923-0
 

MS DOT Advisory - Temporary Lane CLOSURES on I-10 W in Hancock County

From the Mississippi DOT:

 

WHO: The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT)

 

WHAT: Temporary Lane CLOSURES

 

WHEN: NOW through Friday, August 11, 2023 at 5:00 pm

 

WHERE: Interstate 10 Westbound over the East Pearl River in Hancock County. 

 

WHY: Bridge repair due to automobile strike.

 

HOW: Drivers may seek an alternate route. Motorists are reminded to be on high alert for roadside crews. 

 

Stay updated at MDOTtraffic.com, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.
 

DOTD Reminder - Weight Limit on US 84 Bridge | Above 5 Tons

A reminder from the DOTD that the US 84 bridge near Tullos is open only to vehicular traffic with a 5-ton load rating. DOTD is asking those above the weight limit to find an alternate route.

 

DOTD appreciates your patience while crews perform bridge repairs.

 

Additional Information:
Call (318) 412-3100 or (800) 256-1610 or 511 or visit www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices or the DOTD Facebook page.
 

WEATHER - National Weather Service: Dangerous Heat Advisories

Here is an update from our partners at the New Orleans and Baton Rouge NWS.

 

Main Takeaways:

  • Weekend: Dangerous heat indicies are expected to continue this week into the upcoming weekend across nearly all of southeast LA and coastal MS. Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Drink plenty of water, even if not thirsty. Check on elderly, ill neighbors & family members. Bring pets indoors or provide shade and plenty of water.
  • Extended through month: The risk of excessive heat will persist through mid-August. There is a high (70-80%) chance of above normal temperatures through at least mid-August with a slight (20%) chance of excessive heat. Long duration heat waves can increase health impacts. Take precautions to protect yourself from heat illness throughout this heat wave.

LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs

The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.

 

APP EMBARK

App Embark has experience working with trucking organizations all over the United States. They specialize in not only working with associations but also working with companies to create mobile apps that allow employers to organize and communicate with their employees more efficiently and effectively.

 

As part of our partnership with App Embark, they are now offering a special LMTA discount. If you have App Embark develop an app for your organization, you will receive a $500 discount on the cost of the build fee. 

 

Please see below for a brief (and not all-inclusive) list of features they offer.

  1. Send push notifications to your users with employee training materials/events/etc. (to drastically increase the amount of "eyeballs on your content"). You can also geofenced push notifications, so you can send a push notification to a specific geographical location, or have users automatically notified when they enter a certain area
  2. Provide your employees with access to training materials, videos, printouts, and target specific push notifications to different groups of employees instantly or on a scheduled basis
  3. Full analytics on how your app is performing (great ROI for sponsors)
  4. The ability to use your year round app for an unlimited amount of events throughout the year at no additional cost
  5. Event features like itineraries, list of speakers and their biographies, exhibitors, surveys, meeting materials, etc.
  6. Full integration with any third party service such as Shopify, PayPal, etc

 

TO SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.

 

Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details.
 
This email was sent on behalf of The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) located at 4838 Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70880. To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email contact Communications Director Allison Strahan at allison@lmta.la.