A demonstration project currently underway involving truck transportation between the United States and Mexico has received a boost today with the announcement that the project will be extended for an additional two years.

The project which is aimed at implementing certain trucking provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement was, according to John Hill of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, suffering with a lack of participation, mainly due to limitations in the demonstration projects allotted time frame.

Hill, in a statement released by the US Department of Transportation said that "A number of potential companies have been unwilling to invest the time and resources necessary to participate due to uncertainties concerning the project’s longevity." The extension, according to Hill is to "reassure trucking companies that they will have sufficient time to realize a return on their investment."

The extension of the project by a full two years will take the project up to the maximum allowable time frame for a pilot program, which is three years as set down by a congressional statute. Last year, Congress had mandated that the demonstration project be operated as a pilot program.

Aimed at supporting the US economy by saving consumers money, reducing shipping costs and giving US trucking companies and drivers new opportunities, the project seeks to build on and continue the significant trade between the United States and Mexico by truck.

Source: US Department of Transportation and The Office of the Federal Register

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