Louisiana proposes ‘overnight’ solution to trucker shortage

Courtesy Port of New Orleans

Louisiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would create a new tandem load permit, allowing certain trucks to haul two cargo containers at a time to and from shipping ports, reports The Illuminator.

Louisiana is exploring a legislative solution to provide overnight relief to the supply-chain bottleneck that a nationwide shortage of truck drivers has caused.

Senate Bill 477, sponsored by Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, cleared the Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee without objection last week and will advance to the Senate floor for consideration.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development would be responsible for issuing the annual permits, which could only be used on designated roadways excluding interstate highways, which are federally regulated. Read the entire story.