Another 3 'super loads' moving across Ohio | Big border meth bust

Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024:

Three more ‘super loads’ moving in Ohio

Three more “super loads” will depart the dock site in Adams County, Ohio, and head to the new Intel plant being built in Licking County, Ohio, this weekend.

The first of the three departed Thursday morning, the second will depart Friday, and the third on Saturday. All three will arrive at Rickenbacker and then be delivered on Sunday.

All three loads are absorbers and are identical to the most recent loads moved. Super Load No. 22 and 24 measure 17’8” tall, 18’ wide, and 86’ long. They each weigh 129,000 pounds. Super Load No. 23 is carrying two absorbers which makes the load slightly larger at 17’ tall, 18’ wide, and 159’3” long.

Loads No. 22 and 24 will depart Rickenbacker at approximately 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, and stop at Freedom Way in Pickerington. The crew will then go back to Rickenbacker and transport Load No. 23 through the city of Columbus all the way to the Intel site.

Upon delivery, the crew will backtrack to Freedom Way and continue the route with the other two loads to delivery.

Since these loads are smaller, the traffic impacts are expected to be minimal. Click here for details about the route and times of departure.

[Related: Big loads, big equipment, big pay: Heavy/specialized hauling explored] 

Nearly 2K pounds of meth found in load of coconuts

Packages containing nearly 1,950 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge.U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionU.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas last weekend seized more than $17.4 million in methamphetamine in a single enforcement action. 

The seizure occurred on Sept. 28, when a CBP officer referred a tractor-trailer hauling a shipment of coconuts for secondary inspection. CBP officers conducted a secondary examination that included utilization of a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines.

Upon further physical examination, CBP officers discovered 378 packages containing a total of nearly 1,950 pounds of alleged methamphetamine hidden within the trailer. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $17,431,726.

CBP seized the narcotics and tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation. 

[Related: $1.7M worth of cocaine busted in hidden flatbed compartment, load of avocados]

Wyoming transitioning to electronic permit system

The Wyoming Department of Transportation, through the Commercial Carrier Section of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, is transitioning to an electronic system for all carriers and Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders.

The ProMiles e-permitting system is already in use in several neighboring states and began its rollout in Wyoming on Oct. 1. The new system will improve administration of self-issued permits related to all oversize and overweight loads on Wyoming highways, WYDOT said.

While the guidelines for obtaining permits will not change, the new system will streamline the process, making it more efficient and user-friendly.

As e-permitting launches, the Wyoming Highway Patrol set up a one-year transition period to answer questions from carriers and provide training and support for those who are currently enrolled in the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program. State officials believe the year-long conversion will allow sufficient time for all users to become familiar with the program.

“We value all of the Wyoming Self-Issuing Permit Program holders,” said Troy McAlpine of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “We understand the connectivity challenges that carriers may face, especially in rural Wyoming, and they will still be able to obtain clearances and permits by phone through a Port of Entry. We want everyone to be successful in this transition.”  

McAlpine added that in the rare event that the website or phones are experiencing technical outages, Ports of Entry will still be able to issue permits.

Carriers with questions about the new e-permitting system are encouraged to reach out to Troy McAlpine (307-777-4876) or Dustin Bumbaca (307-777-3958) with the highway patrol's Commercial Carrier Section.

Driver honored for rescuing two truckers after crash

The Truckload Carriers Association has named Melton Truck Lines driver Rashon Smith, from Olympia, Washington, a Highway Angel for rescuing two truckers whose semis crashed on I-10 during a storm.

Rashon SmithOn July 31, Smith and his wife were driving on I-10 westbound near Ft. Stockton, Texas, and became caught in a severe storm. As they cautiously drove through the intense storm, he noticed two semis had crashed and overturned up ahead on the opposite side of the road.

“A really bad storm had hit -- two semis on the other side of the road overturned into the median, partially blocking the eastbound road,” Smith said. “I just started laying on my air horn, so everyone on the other side of the road kinda knew to slow down.”

He pulled over, and while his wife called 911, Smith rushed to the scene to assist the drivers. He said the two overturned trucks, which did not hit each other but both happened to overturn -- probably due to speed and weather -- were about 100 meters apart.

“Me and another trucker, we helped pull the first guy from his truck,” he said. “We climbed on top and opened his door and were able to carry him out.”

The other driver had a broken windshield, so Smith was able to help him through the window.

“His truck was a little shattered,” Smith said. “We were able to pull him from the windshield.”

The drivers had cuts and scrapes. Smith mentioned that, coincidentally, a group of military medics was traveling on the highway and stopped to help, which aided the victims. He said his former Navy training programmed him to always look for ways to help people.

“I’m a veteran; the old Navy in me kicked in -- if you see someone hurt, you help,” he said.