Each year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission readies itself to confront the winter elements by properly preparing its entire fleet of trucks, plows and salt spreaders and training more than 425 licensed equipment operators so they are ready to activate 24/7 staffing this fall. Turnpike traffic and weather operations are also at the ready. The team's focus is to fully understand the conditions on the roadway and to keep the Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible.

"We've been preparing for this winter since the last one ended," said Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll. "Across Pennsylvania, the team at PennDOT is hard at work fixing our roads, highways and bridges – making it easier and safer for Pennsylvania drivers while creating good paying jobs. Keeping our roads as safe as possible is a team effort, and we'd love to have people join our team."

The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. The information is made possible by PennDOT's Automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in the over 2,600 department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing a truck's location.  

For Winter 2023, PennDOT is adding 15 variable speed limit, or VSL, signs – which quickly reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions call for lower speeds – bringing the statewide total to 78 locations:

• 36 locations along I-80 in Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, and Union counties (mile marker (MM) 97-210);
• Six locations on I-80 in Clarion and Jefferson counties on the approaches to Emlenton Bridge (MM 42-45), North Fork Bridge (MM 78-81), and Kyle Lake Bridge (MM 92-95); and

36 locations along I-81 from I-78 to I-80 in Lebanon (five locations), Luzerne (seven locations), and Schuylkill (24 locations) counties.

Locations were chosen based on crash and weather data, such as frequency of wintry conditions that demand safer driving, and where crashes caused by whiteout conditions led to roadway closures of more than three hours.

VSL signs reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions present the need for more cautious driving. Preliminary results show this solution effectively slowed traffic four to nine miles per hour during winter road conditions at the 63 locations last winter. Additionally, crashes decreased by an average of 22 percent on I-80 in Clearfield County last winter when compared to the previous five-year average.

While the VSLs are in place, permanent speed limit signs are covered, and the normal posted speed limit is displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds. When speed limits are reduced, a yellow light at the top and bottom of the VSL will be flashing to ensure motorists are aware of the change.

With more than $197 million budgeted for this winter's statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 700,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.

PennDOT encourages motorists encountering snow or ice-covered roads to slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 135 crashes resulting in one fatality and 61 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.

The state agency also stresses the importance of knowing the difference between a weather watch and warning:

• A watch means there is increased risk of a hazardous weather event, but its occurrence, location, or timing is still uncertain. Pay attention to forecasts and plan out what you will do if/when it occurs.
• A warning means the weather event is imminent or is happening. Take immediate action to protect lives and property.

In addition, snow squalls can often produce dangerous and deadly travel hazards on otherwise clear winter days. The National Weather Service now issues "Snow Squall Warnings" which alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these dangerous squalls.

Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.

For more information on PennDOT's winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department's winter website.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.

Dear PMTA Members,

Election Day is just around the corner. It is crucial that every eligible voter exercises their right to cast a ballot.

Why vote?

Voting is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy. Our state and local governments are responsible for making decisions that undoubtedly impact our daily lives, from education and healthcare to transportation and infrastructure. Importantly this year, Pennsylvania’s ballot contains several judicial elections that are critical to ensuring that trucking is treated fairly by the courts in our state. By voting in the November election, you have the power to influence these decisions and choose people who will work towards the betterment of our industry and our communities.

To Register:

If you aren’t already registered to vote, the deadline to register in Pennsylvania is fifteen days before an election. To vote on November 7, you must be registered by October 23, 2023.

In Pennsylvania there are four ways to register to vote:

• Online at https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx
• By mail – download the Pennsylvania Voter Registration Application https://www.vote.pa.gov/Resources/Documents/Voter_Registration_Application_English.pdf Print it, then fill it in, sign it and send it to your county voter registration office.
• In person at your county voter registration office -https://www.vote.pa.gov/Resources/Pages/Contact-Your-Election-Officials.aspx
• At PennDOT and some other government agencies - https://www.vote.pa.gov/Register-to-Vote/pages/how-to-register-to-vote.aspx

Key Deadlines:

1. Mail-in and Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: If you plan to vote by mail, the deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is October 31, 2023. To ensure you have enough time to receive and return your ballot before the deadline, request this as early as possible.

2. Mail-in and Absentee Ballot Submission Deadline: If you choose to vote by mail, your completed ballot must be received by your county election office no later than 8:00 PM on Election Day, which is November 7, 2023. If you are voting by mail-in ballot, plan to return it as soon as possible.

How to Vote by Mail:

1.  Request a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot:

• Online by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State website https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/OnlineAbsenteeApplication/#/OnlineAbsenteeBegin
• By mail https://www.vote.pa.gov/Resources/Documents/PADOS_MailInApplication.pdf
• In-person at your county election office https://www.vote.pa.gov/Resources/Pages/Contact-Your-Election-Officials.aspx

2. Complete Your Ballot: Once you receive your mail-in or absentee ballot, carefully read the instructions and mark your choices. Remember to place your completed ballot in the secrecy envelope provided and then into the outer return envelope.

3. Sign and Return Your Ballot: Be sure to sign the declaration on the outside of the return envelope. You can return your completed ballot by mailing it or by dropping it off at your county election office.

In-Person Voting:

If you are planning to vote in person, here are some key details:

• Polls in Pennsylvania will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, which is November 7, 2023.
• Check your polling location ahead of time. It may have changed since the last election.

Other Voting Requirements:

• In Pennsylvania, you must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state for at least 30 days prior to the election.
• You must be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day to be eligible to vote.
• If you have been convicted of a felony, your right to vote will be restored upon the completion of your sentence, including probation or parole.

Remember, your voice matters. We have an opportunity to make a difference. By participating in the upcoming election, you will help shape the future of our industry. Please make sure to mark your calendars, stay informed and cast your vote on November 7, 2023.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your local county election office or visit www.votespa.com for more information.

Thank you for being an engaged and responsible citizen and member of our state trucking community.

Sincerely,

PMTA Team

Part of I-83 and the Queen Street Bridge in York County will be shut down for repairs this weekend. 

Queen Street will be closed starting Friday around 6:00 p.m. 

I-83 will close around 9:00 p.m. Friday. 

According to PennDOT both roads are expected to reopen Monday at 6:00 a.m. 

The following detours will be in place through the weekend:

• I-83 traffic will be detoured using the off- and on-ramps at the Exit 16 Interchange.
• Drivers traveling south on Queen Street from north of the closure should take southbound I-83 to Route 182/Leader Heights Road (Exit 14), then return north on I-83 to Exit 16 and the south side of the Queen Street bridge.
• Drivers traveling north on Queen Street from south of the closure should take northbound I-83 to Route 124/Mount Rose Avenue (Exit 18), then return south on I-83 to Exit 16 and the north side of the Queen Street bridge.
  

Last year, a dump truck hit the overpass and got stuck under the bridge. Crews implemented a temporary repair to stabilize two cracked beams and reopen I-83 as soon as possible. 

Now, PennDOT is working to permanently fix the bridge.

PennDOT also says new beams are "tentatively expected" to be set on the bridge Friday, Oct. 20. 

As the countdown to membership renewal for 2024 continues, this week we're sharing the best tips to take full advantage of your membership.

Tip #1: PMTA membership allows you to attend events at a discounted rate.

What are you coming to this fall? Legislative events? Clay Shoot? John's hours of service seminar? PMTA members always get a discount.

One of the most inexpensive events is right around the corner... Safety Day! Tickets for members are only $25. Here's the link to register: https://pmta.org/event-5015110?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=10/10/2023

Tip #2: Receiving members-only communication.

While our newsletter, PennTrux, Reference Guide, and email alerts are available to members-only, we wanted to add something to allow members communicate together more efficiently.

Today we've launched our new, members-only Facebook group, called PMTA Members. We hope you use this tool to share information with trucking professionals across the state. Happy Facebooking!

Plus, the October issue of PennTrux will be in your mailboxes soon. Enjoy! 

Link to Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pmtamembersonly

Tip #3: Industry Discounts!

When you're looking for a company to do business with, support the companies supporting you.

Check out the PMTA Buyer's Guide: https://www.patruckingbuyersguide.com/

And PMTA affinity partners: https://www.pmta.org/Benefits-of-Membership/

Or if you want to do your own search, check out the online member directory: https://pmta.org/Members-Directory

Any questions? Call us. 717-761-7122.

Tip #4: Get involved with your local chapter.

Each PMTA Chapter has unique connections and events in their area. It's a great way to network!

The Board of Directors just approved a chapter merger to help to facilitate more activities and increase opportunities for networking.  We're hoping this brings members closer together while increasing PMTA's reach.

Are you involved and want to get familiar with your chapter? Thinking about joining and aren't sure how we can help? Contact Director of Chapter Relations Kelly Hawthorne at 717-970-3227.

Tip #5: Full pmta.org website access. 

Did you know there is content on the PMTA website restricted to members only?

When you log into your account, tabs appear that are restricted to members-only.

A catalogue of webinars PMTA has hosted in the past, talking points on issues in the trucking industry, digital copies of PennTrux and loads of other treasures are all right there at your fingertips.

If you haven't checked it out yet, www.pmta.org is recently redesigned to provide a better user experience. Enjoy! 

Senate Bill 473 which would go after drivers with unpaid tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike unanimously passed the state Senate. 

Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-18) sponsored the bill. SB 473 proposes the garnishment of Pennsylvania Lottery winnings and state income tax returns from people with unpaid tolls. 

"Law-abiding Pennsylvanians have consistently paid their fair share," said Senator Boscola. "However, repeated toll offenders are escaping accountability. Without more effective measures, we risk the erosion of the entire system as more individuals seek to evade payment."

Initially introduced in 2022, SB473 was prompted by a report from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, revealing a concerning projected loss of $155 million in unpaid tolls from April 2021 to March 2022—a 49% increase from the prior year's $105 million. The Turnpike's 2023 report indicates a further rise in unpaid tolls, reaching $170 million, up by an additional $15 million from the previous year.

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spokesperson Carl DeFebo told CBS 21 News the Commission has to recoup that money elsewhere, and it's currently being passed to Turnpike drivers who do pay in the form of toll increases and additional fees. 

"It's going to affect the people who are paying. One of the reasons our tolls keep going up is because the people who are paying have to pay for the people who aren’t," said Pennsylvania Senator Greg Rothman.

With the Senate's approval, SB 473 heads to the House Transportation Committee for further consideration.

Senate Bill 799 allowing county bridge funding to supplement municipal bridge maintenance passes the state Senate.

This bill would amend Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance. 

SB 799 was sponsored by Senator Greg Rothman (R-34) to ensure funding flexibility for county and municipal bridges.

The goal of this legislation is to expand how counties can use transportation funds for the benefit of their residents.
 
Act 89 of 2013 amended Act 44 of 2007 by appropriating $5 million annually out of the Motor License Fund for county bridges. Current guidance for how this money is spent specifically references “public bridges for which the county is legally responsible.” While the funds are being used to repair county-owned bridges, current spending guidance fails to note how the funds could be used for bridges owned by the municipalities within said counties. As a result, municipal bridges suffer and go without repair.
 
SB 799 would amend the current law to explicitly allow the Act 44/89 funds to be used for both county and municipal bridges to better increase driver safety and roadway quality.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to  the House Transportation Committee. 
 

The 2024 UCR filing period is now open. 

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is an annual fee/registration required by all interstate carriers, broker, freight forwarders and leasing agents. 

UCR fees are used by participating states to help train DOT officers and enforce DOT safety regulations. 

Registration is due by December 31, 2023. 

The UCR Board has indicated enforcement will begin on time this year on January 1, 2024. 

Bracket	Number of commercial motor vehicles owned or operated by exempt or non-exempt motor carrier, motor private carrier, or freight forwarder	Fee per entity for exempt or nonexempt motor carrier, motor private carrier, or freight forwarder	Fee per entity for broker or leasing company
1	0-2	$37.00	$37.00
2	3-5	$111.00	—
3	6-20	$221.00	—
4	21-100	$769.00	—
5	101-1000	$3,670.00	—
6	1001 and above	$35,836.00	—

Wondering if you need to file? Complete the quiz here. 

Have questions or need help? Wendy Palermo is here anytime. Call 717-970-3226 or email [email protected]. 

Wendy is here to help and ensure you are in compliance. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced new features added to 511PA.

These features are expected to provide timely bridge information for commercial drivers and also support efforts to combat human trafficking.

The 511PA traffic map now includes a "PennDOT Bridges" feature which shows locations for all state-owned bridges posted with weight or other limits, along with closed bridges. This expands on the existing feature of locations for all bridges under legal height (<13'6") over state roads, which was previously added in December 2021. This information can be viewed on the web map and is also available as an alert that can be heard in drive mode on the mobile app.

In partnership with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, PennDOT updated the 511PA Travel Links page to include new information for reporting concerns about human trafficking. Travelers can report suspected human trafficking via the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) tipline at 888-292-1919 or [email protected]. 511PA also includes more information with recommendations from PSP on how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking. The 511PA mobile app and phone service have also been updated to provide travelers easy access for reporting suspected human trafficking activity.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

The time to renew your PMTA membership for 2024 is drawing near. Invoices are set to go out in mid-November. Each day during the last week of September we shared the stories of members who use PMTA membership to make their business better on social media. 

First, Dean Yockey shared about his PMTA experience. He's been a member of PTMA for over 20 years and currently is the manager of training and development at Pitt Ohio. 

"Being in this industry things are changing drastically. If you don't know what's changing or what upcoming regulations could possibly be on the board... it could cost you tremendously. In the industry, there's such a variety of vehicles. You have tankers and flat beds and vans and dry-vans and having that outreach is so important. Whether you meet on a monthly basis or you just have that number that you can call. I've never had an issue where somebody didn't have the time for me. They were always very helpful."

Tuesday, Dan Burns from Liberty Coca-Cola shared that he's dipping his toe into PMTA for the first time. He works as a transportation supervisor and attended an SMC meeting for the first time in September. 

 "My manager's getting ready to retire at the end of the year. He's been a member for years. He thought it would be a good opportunity for me to join and build up my safety knowledge."

Wednesday, Larry Moul took the spotlight. He is now retired, but still holds his position on the Safety Management Council Board. He told us he used his membership to access discounted titling and registration services from Wendy Palermo. She's available any time for companies to ask questions, get advice and help with paperwork. You can call her at 717-970-3226. 

"PMTA can do a lot of background stuff for you. If you just have a few trucks and want to get into PMTA, what it amounts to is they can help you out on a lot of the issues on licensing, weight restrictions. If you don't know it on your own, you can always get ahold of someone at PMTA, the safety director or whoever. They're always backing you up so to speak," Moul said. 

Safety Director John Rigney is available anytime for regulatory or safety and compliance questions at 717-970-3228.

Thursday, Leesa Clark from Grocery Haulers Incorporated shared how PMTA helps make her job as safety manager easier. She's been a PMTA member for about 15 years. 

"The benefits that you get from being a member of PMTA are amazing. They offer a lot of classes so you're constantly being updated on changes in the business and it's the ability to grow and make sure that you're compliant." 

Renewing your membership for 2024 is a great way to be informed on trainings, seminars and classes happening throughout the year. Director of Safety John Rigney always has something on his calendar you and your company can benefit from. Members can register for events and trainings at a discounted rate. Check out upcoming events here: https://pmta.org/Events-Calendar

Ken Martin with NHT Logistics closed out the week. He's been a member of PMTA for about 15 years and is on the Safety Management Council Board. He says PMTA is a one stop shop to help keep your business running.

"PMTA is a great source for regulatory information and supplies such as log books and driver qualification files. One of the services that we've used and found very helpful is vehicle registration. We can buy a new vehicle, come to the PMTA office and walk away with the apportioned plate which is a whole lot better than having to renew the temporary piece of paper that you get." 

The time to renew your PMTA membership for 2024 is coming up soon! Around mid-November, invoices will go out for 2024 membership dues. We’d love to have you stay on board with us. Until then, we’ll be profiling some of the top benefits of membership with PMTA on social media, showcasing members who use these benefits to help their businesses and sharing some exciting things to come next year. If you haven't followed PMTA on social media, now's a great time to join in. 

Facebook

Twitter or X

Instagram

LinkedIn

This week we started the #PMTAProud campaign with what PMTA membership boils down to: community, education, safety and advocacy.

Stay tuned for more posts, share them with friends and use the hashtag  PMTAProud so we can share your posts.

Feel free to reach out to PMTA staff if you have any questions or suggestions about membership for 2024 at 717-761-7122.

Posted below are the posts for Week One: 

PMTA would be nothing without our 1,200 incredible members. We hope you use these connections to your advantage. Whether you need truck parts, insurance or business advice from someone in your shoes, there is a PMTA member ready to help.

As we plan for 2024, we're going to be implementing better ways to connect members. We hope you'll renew your membership this November or become a member in 2024 to join this incredible group of trucking industry professionals. #PMTAProud

One of the most important things PMTA does is educate. From sharing important news and legislative updates with members to teaching kids about careers in trucking, PMTA staff members take our role to inform very seriously.

Check out the "News" tab on the PMTA website to learn more about trucking industry updates. And, as you prepare to renew your membership for 2024, think about how you heard about important news this year. Is an alert from PMTA on the list? If so, let us know! #PMTAProud

Safety programs are one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to get involved with PMTA. The Safety Management Council gets together monthly to discuss current safety regulations, new technology and how best to implement these things.

Members also get to know John Rigney, the Safety Director you all know and love. He's a retired State Trooper who knows the laws your company and drivers must abide by like the back of his hand. He makes himself available to answer questions anytime. Speaking of... stay tuned for another Coffee with John virtual Q&A coming soon! #PMTAProud

It’s a perfect time to discuss PMTA’s advocacy efforts because members and staff just got back from Call on Washington. Attendees had a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill with Pennsylvania representatives. From CARB regulations to lawsuit abuse reform, we were able to bring the trucking industry’s biggest issues to the nation’s decisionmakers.

PMTA has a track record of taking action on issues that could be devastating to the industry. For example, PennDOT wanted to toll bridges, PMTA stopped them. The PA DEP wants to implement California's emissions rules, we've filed a lawsuit. Truck drivers need more parking, we're leading PennDOT's committee. We hear your concerns and are actively working at the state and federal level to help.

Membership with PMTA means not only staying informed on these important issues, but knowing someone is advocating for you. #PMTAProud