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The Transportation Department announced last week it will drop some materials, including paint and diesel fuel, from the list of substances the agency considers dangerous enough to require hazmat motor carriers to file detailed security plans.

Despite a challenging freight environment over the past year, the 2010 Mid-America Trucking Show organizers said industry optimism may be rising. They cited an anticipated increase in the number of exhibitors and attendees for the March 25-27 show.

A proposed federal rule that triples to $3,000 the annual registration fee for large hazardous materials motor carriers but maintains a fee of $300 for small carriers places an unfair burden on large carriers, American Trucking Associations and National Tank Truck Carriers said in written comments opposing the new rule.

The average price for retail diesel rose for a third straight week, this time by 4.3 cents to $2.904 a gallon, to the highest level since November 2008, the Department of Energy reported.

Canada has delayed its plan to require carriers with incoming shipments to submit manifest information electronically to the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Trucking Alliance said.

Canada-based transportation firm Trimac Income Fund earned C$1.2 million, or 2.3 cents per unit, in the fourth quarter, compared with C$3 million, or 10.9 cents, a year ago.

Interstate 70 in Colorado has been opened one way in each direction after being closed since Monday by a rock slide, and speed limits through the area have been reduced to 40 mph, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.

Retail sales rose 0.3% in February, the fourth increase in four months, the Commerce Department said Friday.

U.S. consumer confidence declined this month, according to the Reuters/University of Michigan monthly consumer sentiment index released Friday.

Business inventories were unchanged in January, the Commerce Department said Friday.