On the Move 2020 by Bangor Daily News

Thank You The Bangor Daily News would like to thank all truckers for their service during these unprecedented times

STAYING OPERATIONAL IN A CHANGED WORLD

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 15, 2020

BY JOSH DEAKIN

In the wake of COVID-19, many industries across the nation are changing how they do business to adapt to new safety concerns for their employees. Industries deemed “essential” remain in business in this time of uncertainty. The Maine Motor Transport Association is one of these essential groups. Trucks absolutely need to remain on the road to transport goods from warehouses to storefronts and keep the population supplied with invaluable items like food, medicine, and toilet paper. The Maine Motor Transport Association is, according to President and CEO Brian Parke, “a group whose purpose is to represent the transportation industry in Maine by promoting highway safety, providing education for those engaged in the motor transportation industry, as well as advocating for sound public policy affecting its members.” Parke has been in the trucking industry for the last 25 years. With COVID-19, many business have been forced to shutter their storefronts and either lay off staff or turn to a “work-from-home” approach. The trucking industry must remain in operation and therefore must adapt. “Truckers are the nation’s cavalry. When disasters strike – whether a hurricane, a tornado, a blizzard, truckers are often the first to respond,” said Parke. “They are the first to roll into the disaster areas to bring much-needed relief supplies that communities need to rebuild. This coronavirus pandemic is no different.” The MMTA has received rich feedback from the truck-drivers on the frontlines on important factors to keep in mind during the pandemic. First and foremost, it is imperative that various facilities remain open and operational. “Truckers have basic needs: They need places to rest, places to eat, and places to use the bathroom,” said Parke. For a truck to stay on the road, the driver needs to be able to have access to these basic needs. “This is not just a matter of comfort and convenience, this is about health and highway safety.” If you go to the grocery store or a gas station, chances are you’ve seen all the efforts businesses are making to keep both employees and customers as safe as possible. This often includes personal protective equipment like masks, tape on the floor to illustrate a proper six foot distance, or plexiglass barriers separating

the cashier from the consumer. The trucking industry is no different, and personal protective equipment has become a necessity. “The health and well-being of employees are fleets’ number one priority, and maintaining the health of this workforce is critically important to our nation’s supply chain. Access to PPE is sometimes difficult given the limited availability and priority needing to be placed on those on the frontlines like healthcare workers and first responders,” said Parke. In the last few months, a wealth of information from various governments has been dispersed among the public and it seems like each night the news has a new safety protocol for people to implement to stay as safe and healthy as possible. Truck-drivers have stated the importance of consistency and clarity among this information in order for them to stay safe. Driving across state-lines is a challenge, with new and changing regulations depending on the state. “Federal, state, and local governments must coordinate to provide clarity to motor carriers and ensure that freight deliveries are not impeded in jurisdictions due to local restrictions,” said Parke. These overall themes are common with many other essential industries remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic. By following the safety measures provided, truck-drivers will continue to provide goods to the public and do their part in keeping the population safe and healthy. The trucking industry is adapting to the new safety protocols implemented by the government in order to remain operational. It is absolutely vital to the health and well-being of the nation’s population that they remain functional throughout the pandemic. While the current provisions in place are not optimal, it is entirely necessary to keep the drivers safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty. Despite the circumstances, Parke remained optimistic with the industry staying focused on their overall goal. “Truckers continue to do what they always do, in good times and bad: deliver the goods that the American people need and depend on, day in and day out.” It is the hope of everyone that the pandemic ends soon and businesses are able to re-open, but until then we all need to do our part by following the safety guidelines to stay healthy.

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 15, 2020

KEEPING THE SUPPLY CHAIN CONNECTED BY JOSH DEAKIN

A supply chain is defined as “the sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity,” according to the Oxford Dictionary. The trucking industry creates the essential links in the supply chain of consumer goods, moving products and food around the globe to our local grocery stores, businesses and doorsteps. Truckers are working extra hard right now to keep shelves stocked and online orders moving as many of us stay sheltered at home due to the coronavirus outbreak. UPS and FedEx, for example, are open and operational during the pandemic to help assist the population with acquiring necessary items from the safety of their own home without having to visit a local storefront. According to the UPS website, there are several precautions being put into place to ensure the safety of their employees as well as keep the company’s operations as close to normal as possible. The company stated on their website that there is “constant monitoring of our air and ground networks to address potential sources of disruption.” There is also the option for customers to sign up for the free UPS My Choice service. This allows the customer to dictate specific instructions for the company in leaving deliveries. In regards to preventing the spread of the disease through their operation, UPS is following all recommendations set forth by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both organizations have made clear that the chances of COVID-19 contaminating shipping materials is low. FedEx is also working to help maintain a low-risk environment in transporting packages to consumers. Their website states: “We are educating team members with regular communications about COVID-19 and the importance of keeping their workplace clean, washing hands frequently, and to seek proper medical attention if they develop flu-like symptoms.” FedEx will remain open as they have been declared an essential business.

In the wake of the precautions established, they have suspended their moneyback guarantees as well as most shipments requiring a signature for pick up. FedEx has supplied their employees with sanitizer and disinfectants as well as face masks. They are following all social distancing rules during transportation of packages. According to their website, FedEx has also had to put into place a surcharge for international shipments. This is to aid in the increase of workflow while air cargo capacity is limited. The surcharge is not permanent but will remain in place until further notice. Every business that remains open during the COVID-19 pandemic must change their daily practices in order to maintain the safest work environment for their employees. Supply chains for storefronts are adapting based on safety procedures to ensure the consumers have as little trouble as possible when shopping for groceries and picking up medication. In a world that has drastically changed over the last few months, essential businesses are working long hours to ensure that consumers are able to acquire all products they need to keep their own households af loat. Through the use of strict company policies and complying with all government procedure recommendations, these businesses are able to maintain a safe work environment for their employees and continue to service the nation’s population.

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 15, 2020

INVESTING IN MAINE’S FREIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE

AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE PISCATAQUA RIVER BRIDGE.

BY NATE MOULTON, DIRECTOR, MAINEDOT OFFICE OF FREIGHT AND PASSENGER SERVICES It’s easy to overlook how many aspects of our everyday lives rely on freight operators and the vast freight network that stretches out across our state, across our nation, and beyond. Almost everything in our homes – including the materials used to build our homes – was, at some point, on the back of a truck. The modern-day marvel of one-day shipping would not be possible without dedicated truck drivers and the reliable infrastructure on which they depend. The current COVID-19 pandemic shows us how important it is for freight operators to help keep our grocery store shelves stocked. The Maine Department of Transportation understands the importance of the trucking industry. That’s why MaineDOT’s mission statement is to responsibly provide our customers the safest and most reliable transportation system possible, given available resources. Here are some of our current plans to improve safety and mobility for truckers:

The Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge Project

There is no question that Maine’s most important bridge is the Piscataqua River (I-95) Bridge that connects Kittery to New Hampshire and all points south. Most of the freight that enters or exits Maine crosses this bridge on a truck. During peak summer travel months, as many as 130,000 vehicles cross this iconic structure in a single day. The Piscataqua River Bridge first opened to traffic nearly 50 years ago. Last June, MaineDOT and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation started construction on a $62-million project that will revitalize and rehabilitate the bridge that connects our two states. This work involves safety repairs and structural upgrades that we hope will extend the bridge’s life for another 50 years. We are also prepping the bridge for ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) technologies and preparing it for potential part-time shoulder use during peak travel times. Once this project is finished in 2022, our state’s southern gateway will be renewed, and the movement of goods back and forth to Maine will be easier and more efficient for everyone.

The I-395/Route 9 Connector Project

The goal of the I-395/Route 9 Connector project is to provide the “missing link” between I-395 and Route 9 in southern Penobscot County. Right now, vehicles traveling through the area from I-395 to Route 9 generally proceed from I-395 to Routes 1A, 46, and 9 – routes that have abrupt transitions in travel speed,

roadway geometry, and capacity. The new connector will provide a regional solution to congestion, connectivity, mobility, and safety problems. The greater Bangor/Brewer area is the economic and employment center for the north central region of the state. It’s also a hub for the movement of goods because of its proximity to the interstate highway system and Canadian markets. In 2018, we received a $25-million U.S. Department of Transportation Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant that will help pay a significant portion of the $104-million total project cost. Pending resolution of MaineDOT’s current revenue shortfall created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we plan to put the Wilson Street Bridge project out to bid this year. Having this bridge built ahead of the rest of the connector will help with mobility during future construction.

The Freight Reliability Actions for Maine (FRAME) Project

In February, MaineDOT applied for an INFRA Grant to help replace eight aging bridges and make key safety improvements at one critical intersection. The total cost of the project is $69.6 million, and we are seeking $41.7 million in federal funds. The aging bridges (in Bangor, Old Town, Rumford, Solon, and Waterville) will be replaced with new, safe, and modern bridges. Six of the bridges are on the National Highway System (NHS); the other two are on Critical Urban Freight Corridors on the National Highway Freight Network. Our work seeks to improve the accessibility and long-term prospects for the economy in economicallychallenged rural regions by improving freight movement that is vital to industry and global competition. Four of the project bridges, as well as the intersection safety project, provide access to two of Maine’s remaining pulp and paper mills. These mills rely heavily on these bridges and this intersection for both transportation of raw materials and finished goods within the state and beyond.

The Route 201 Project

Heavy truck traffic makes up 23 percent of the average daily traffic along Route 201 in Jackman. This Priority 2 Highway Corridor is the major freight route that connects Portland with Quebec City. It is the primary corridor for trucks hauling ethanol. This year, MaineDOT is making significant improvements along 19 miles of the road. The first phase of the work involves nearly five miles of pavement preservation work extending from Routes 6 and 15 to the scenic overlook at the top of the hill in Jackman. The second phase

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 15, 2020

involves Cold In-Place Recycling (CIPR) work from the scenic overlook to the Canadian border. The total cost on this project is nearly $12 million. These are just four projects out of more than 2,000 included in MaineDOT’s three-year Work Plan. Every task we do – big or small – is meant to increase mobility and safety on Maine’s roads and bridges. The dedicated men and women of MaineDOT are committed to helping the traveling public as well as those who work hard to move goods from Kittery to Fort Kent and beyond. We all confront many challenges in our jobs. The most notable challenge at MaineDOT right now is our chronic unmet funding need, which has now been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, but confronting challenges is what we do. We all rise to the occasion to help keep Maine moving.

ON THE MOVE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • May 15, 2020