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WASHINGTON — The chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said she was preparing to finish work on a new long-term highway bill by next spring while also seeking a six-month extension of the existing law.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — BNSF Railway Vice President Steve Branscum called on truckers and shippers to jointly pinpoint areas where freight weight limits could be raised, perhaps by 10%.

Federal and California environmental regulators have certified 2010 engines of AB Volvo’s two North American brands — Volvo and Mack — the companies said Nov. 16. They are the first engine manufacturers to gain official approval.

The U.S. diesel and gasoline price averages both dipped for a second week, giving back some of the strong October surge in refined product costs during the four previous weeks. Crude oil fluctuated but remained below $80 a barrel.

The House Transportation Committee last week approved a bill that would prohibit the transport of flammable liquids in unprotected product piping on new cargo tankers in two years and in existing tankers by the end of 2025.

Americans’ automobile travel of more than 50 miles from home will increase Thanksgiving weekend by 2.1% from last year, the motorists’ group AAA said.

Penske Logistics said it has promoted three employees to executive positions.

When large, corporate-owned fleets such as U.S. Foodservice and Wal-Mart Transportation were pressured by their owners to meet environmental sustainability goals even during the current faltering economy, it made the news.