Arkansas Trucking Association

Bill to Expand Truck Parking Would Make Roads Safer

A bipartisan group of Congressmen have introduced H.R.2187, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which would improve highway safety by addressing a critical shortage in available parking for semis and large commercial trucks.

Read more: Bill to Expand Truck Parking Would Make Roads Safer

ATA PAC Draws Big Wins, Busted Brackets

Playing for the PAC has never been easier than with the inaugural Arkansas Trucking Association bracket challenge. There were 37 brackets submitted with predictions for the NCAA Men’s Championship Basketball Tournament along with a donation to the ATA PAC for a chance to win prizes.

On April 5, Baylor University won their first-ever National Championship as they defeated Gonzaga in the final game. In all, 11 individuals took home prizes for points earned during the six rounds, and the tournament MVP, Tiffany Senavinin of Maverick Transportation, won $600 cash.

Read more: ATA PAC Draws Big Wins, Busted Brackets

Brotherly Love Benefits Tech Scholarship

Rick Tapp

Over the past four years, the Arkansas Trucking Association has awarded the Carl Tapp Technician Scholarship to students interested in pursuing a career as a medium and heavy-duty truck technician. Rick Tapp, the brother of the scholarship’s namesake, is retiring from PACCAR this year. In lieu of a physical token commemorating his career, he asked for donations to his brother’s scholarship fund. And his co-workers and business partners have answered the call en masse.

“They asked what I would like from the company for a retirement gift,” Tapp said. “I said I didn’t want anything personally, but would appreciate contributions to the technician scholarship. My boss shared the request with the people I’ve worked with over the past 19 years, and I have been overwhelmed by the support.”

Over the past few weeks, Rick’s supporters have donated $2,550 to the scholarship in his honor. “Not only do I appreciate the support, but so do the students who will benefit from this jumpstart to their careers, and the industry itself that needs more skilled technicians to keep us moving forward.”

Read more: Brotherly Love Benefits Tech Scholarship

Fed Survey Finds Economic Optimism

A Federal Reserve survey has found that the economy was rebounding in late February through early April. The new survey cites a range of factors, from vaccinations to the payments of up to $1,400 for individuals from President Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package.

Read more: Fed Survey Finds Economic Optimism

Arkansas Metro Areas Downgraded

Four Arkansas cities and their surrounding areas face demotion and possible economic repercussions if a proposed statistical change is adopted by the federal Office of Management & Budget.

The OMB received a recommendation to double the core population required for designation as a metropolitan statistical area from 50,000 to 100,000. If the population threshold is changed, current Arkansas MSAs that are based around Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff and Texarkana would be redesignated as micropolitan statistical areas.

Read more: Arkansas Metro Areas Downgraded

I-40 Bridge Closure Estimated to Cost Trucking $2.4M Per Day

I 40Bridge LongerRouteTimes

Shippers should prepare for longer transit times, surcharges

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – With the I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge connecting Arkansas and Tennessee expected to be closed to traffic for months, new estimates are arising regarding the economic impact of the closure.

“Around 12,500 trucks traveled over the I-40 bridge each day and an additional 14,000 trucks cross the I-55 bridge daily. The closure of the I-40 bridge creates bottlenecks and delays impacting all 26,500 trucks relying on this major freight corridor connecting east and west,” said Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton.

Operational cost data provided by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) indicates the average cost of operating a truck to be $71.78 an hour or $1.20 a minute.

Read more: I-40 Bridge Closure Estimated to Cost Trucking $2.4M Per Day

Arkansas Trucking Association Responds to I-40 Bridge Closure

The I-40 bridge connecting Memphis, Tenn., and West Memphis, Ark., closed Tuesday afternoon after a routine bridge inspection revealed a significant crack in one of the two steel beams crucial to the structural integrity of the bridge. When inspectors found the fracture, they called 911 and immediately closed the structure to traffic, including barges traveling underneath the bridge.

Read more: Arkansas Trucking Association Responds to I-40 Bridge Closure

ATA Applauds Cotton, Westerman for Supporting Bipartisan Trucking Bill

ATA Applauds Cotton, Westerman for Supporting Bipartisan Trucking Bill

On March 10, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Bruce Westerman along with a group of bipartisan legislators introduced the DRIVE Safe Act. The Arkansas Trucking Association applauds Sen. Cotton and Rep. Westerman for their support of this bill that addresses the growing shortage of professional truck drivers by expanding job opportunities for younger members of the trucking workforce, while also strengthening safety training and technology safeguards for select candidates looking to participate in interstate commerce early in their careers. 

The DRIVE Safe Act addresses a federal regulation that prohibits commercial driver’s license holders under the age of 21 from crossing state lines. Barring safe, professional 18- to 20-year-olds from driving interstate only further exacerbates the significant truck driver shortage, which is expected to worsen as demand for freight transportation increases. Over the next decade, it’s projected that the trucking industry will need to hire an average of nearly 110,000 per year to keep up with demand.

Read more: ATA Applauds Cotton, Westerman for Supporting Bipartisan Trucking Bill

ATA calls for technician scholarship applications

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arkansas Trucking Association plans to award scholarships of up to $7,500 to students interested in pursuing a career as a medium and heavy duty truck technician. Scholarship applications are being accepted now through April 2, 2021.

ATA established the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2017 to encourage growth in the state’s technician workforce and to help assure that the safest, most knowledgeable and skilled technicians are working on the trucks and trailers on our nation’s roads.

Read more: ATA calls for technician scholarship applications

Truck drivers deliver a Candyland Christmas for Arkansas children and teens in foster care

This week, the Arkansas Trucking Association is partnering with Project Zero and Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to deliver Christmas gifts to children and teens in foster care across Arkansas.

Over the past few weeks, individuals and businesses adopted wish lists of children in foster care shipped gifts to Project Zero’s “North Pole” in Little Rock. On Friday, Dec. 4, trucking and community volunteers will organize, sort and load the donated gifts onto trucks for delivery throughout the state.

Read more: Truck drivers deliver a Candyland Christmas for Arkansas children and teens in foster care

Governor recognizes Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Arkansas

Little Rock, Ark. – In an executive proclamation, Gov. Asa Hutchinson officially declared September 13 - 19 Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Arkansas. The Arkansas Trucking Association, along with American Trucking Associations and the entire trucking industry, is celebrating the millions of professional truck drivers who work each day to deliver America’s freight safely.

“Even as many Arkansans are adjusting to new ways of working, learning, exercising, and even socializing, truck drivers are continuing to do what they do best day-in and day-out—connecting Arkansans to all the things we need to live our lives,” Hutchinson said in the proclamation.

Read more: Governor recognizes Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Arkansas

Arkansas trucking names top truck driver and safety professional of the year

On Monday, August 17, the Arkansas Trucking Association announced the Driver of the Year, Dave Hall, and Safety Professional of the Year, Leslie Stout. Hall is a driver for ABF Freight, a carrier headquartered in Fort Smith. Stout is the director of safety at CalArk International in Little Rock. Both honors were bestowed at the Safety Awards Luncheon during the ATA Annual Business Conference & Vendor Showcase in Rogers, Ark.

The statewide trucking association annually recognizes one driver for their strong and noteworthy professional qualifications, experience and performance and one safety professional for their qualifications, safety program and safety achievements.

Read more: Arkansas trucking names top truck driver and safety professional of the year

Contact Us

Arkansas Trucking Association
PO Box 3476 (72203)
1401 West Capitol Ave.
Suite 185
Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 372-3462 | Phone
(501) 376-1810 | Fax

Our Mission

  • PROTECT the collective interests of trucking companies in the political and regulatory arenas.
  • PROMOTE the dynamics of trucking so that people have a better understanding of the link between America's primary freight delivery system and the standard of living they enjoy.
  • SERVE our members to help them to grow their business and their profits
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