KyTrucking.net 5 thinking. Fortunately, the $1 trillion bipartisan bill President Joe Biden signed in November 2021 will help. Kentucky received a C- from the American Society of Civil Engineers. More than 1,322 highway miles and 1,033 bridges are in poor condition in the state. Since 2011, commute times increased 6.3%, and drivers paid $444 annually for costs incurred by driving on bad roads. However, between now and 2026, Kentucky expects $5.1 billion to spend on highways and bridges. Another $69 million, spread over five years, is expected to finance the expansion of the state’s EV charging network. All that money should make a substantial difference and make work easier for drivers. Safety Concerns What can I say about the pandemic that hasn’t already been said multiple times? We’ve been dealing with it in Kentucky since March 6, 2020. As I write this column, numbers have been spiking again. The old saying is that visitors and fish stink after three days; more than two years after the initial shutdown, it’s no wonder people struggle with pandemic fatigue. Everyone I know wants to end all pandemic restrictions, but we can’t yet because the danger isn’t over. We have new vaccines on the horizon, and we know COVID has become a fact of life. But KTA is always committed to driver safety, whether it’s related to COVID or other health issues. We will always do our best to protect every employee in the industry as much as possible. Logistics Management Most people probably don’t appreciate the complexity of transportation logistics or the difficulty of making sure money is available when and where it’s needed. If you are involved in logistics, though, you know how hard it can be to solve transportation problems, and you appreciate the hard work, intelligence and skill of those who make it all look so easy to people outside the industry. Conclusion I’ve talked more about problems than solutions in this column, but I want you to know how happy I am to be involved in this important industry. We make a difference, and our work matters. Never forget it. Please call me if I can help you or if you have suggestions that would help me and other KTA leaders. It is always an honor to serve you. Thanks, Dewell Gossett We make a difference, and our work matters. Never forget it.
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