1940s |
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| 1946 | Beginning of Maine Motor Transport Association. Initially called the Maine Truck Owners Association (MTOA) |
| 1947 | Construction of the Maine Turnpike begins |
| 1948 | First Truck Rodeo competition |
| 1949 | Maine Truck Owners Insurance Trust formed |
1950s |
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| 1950 | A convention was held at Mount Kineo Hotel on June 29 through July 1. Rates were $12/day and included meals |
| 1951 | MTOA sponsors legislation requiring mandatory fines for overloading with graduated fines range from $10 to $500 |
| 1953 | Maine Turnpike starts construction on 66-mile stretch from Portland to Augusta on its way to Fort Kent |
| 1955 | Mud flap law passes legislature to reduce the spray of water and mud to improve highway safety |
| 1956 | ICC issues long-awaited brake regulations for tractor and trailers |
| The Federal Aid Highway Act, passed in 1956, authorized the creation of 41,000 miles worth of interstate highways. This legislation, championed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, put $25 billion in funding towards a 20-year construction plan. Without this law, a fundamental to the history of trucking, and the highways it built, the national trucking industry would be very different today. | |
| 1957 | Size and weights debated at State House – Industry seeks gross weight limit of 60,000 lbs and 50 feet in overall length |
| 1959 | MTOA members run a “welcome wagon” load of Maine products to Alaska to welcome them to statehood |
1960s |
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| 1961 | MTOA offices move from Masonic building in Portland to large space on Congress Street |
| 1962 | MTOA forms Pension Trust for members |
| 1963 | Truck height in Maine increases from 12.5 feet to 13.5 feet |
| 1964 | MTOA members assist in caribou-relocation by bringing 24 caribou from Newfoundland to Mount Katahdin |
| 1965 | David Harmon, Hunnewell Trucking of Portland, becomes youngest elected MTOA president at age 32 |
| 1967 | MTOA introduces bill to refund taxes on fuel on the Maine Turnpike as seen as double taxation combined with tolls |
| 1968 | Trucks haul 25% of nation’s freight and 61% of freight value |
1970s |
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| 1971 | Highway YIELD sign changes from black/yellow to red/white |
| 1977 | Interstate carriers no longer required to display their state’s PUC number on the sides of their trucks |
| 1978 | MTOA changes name to Maine Motor Transport Association (MMTA) |
| 1979 | US Senator Ted Kennedy introduces federal legislation to abolish collective ratemaking in the trucking industry |
1980s |
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| 1980 | President Carter signs gas rationing bill into law |
| Deregulation increases competition in trucking industry – more carriers enter the market | |
| 1981 | Dick Jones hired as MMTA Executive Director |
| 1982 | MMTA moves office from Portland to 51 Water Street in Hallowell |
| MMTA membership reaches 168 | |
| 1983 | Fuel taxes increase 10 cents |
| 1986 | Maine Truck PAC established |
| 1987 | First Truck Driving Championship to run two courses |
| MMTA membership reaches 300 | |
| 1988 | MMTA moves to Western Avenue in Augusta |
| 1989 | Hazardous communications law goes into effect |
1990s |
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| 1990 | Extension of I-95 north of Houlton promoted by MMTA |
| 1991 | Workers’ Comp Trust begins operations |
| 1992 | Dick Jones retires from MMTA replaced by Dale Hanington |
| 1993 | Maine enters the International Registration Plan |
| 1994 | The title of MMTA President changed to Chairman at annual meeting |
| Virgil Beane becomes Chairman | |
| 1995 | Mainer, Mark Corriveau, is crowned Grand Champion at National Truck Driving Championships |
| 1996 | MMTA celebrates 50th anniversary of service to the trucking industry |
| 1997 | Electronic tolling (Transpass) implemented on the Maine Turnpike |
1998 – MMTA Mobile Safety Unit placed into service to train CMV drivers and to teach the public about the trucking industry
First National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
1999 – MMTA membership reaches 1,000
2000s
2002 – FMCSA established minimum requirements for new entrants into the trucking industry
2003 – MMTA members get ready for the new hours-of-service regulations that go into effect at the end of the year
2004 – Maine adopts mileage-based exit-numbering system on the interstate; Maine Turnpike Authority rules prohibiting trucks from far left lane (on three-lane highways)
2005 – Last MMTA Convention to be held at the Black Point Inn
2006 – 53 foot trailers allowed on all Maine roads for the first time. Maine team wins National Truck Driving Championship.
2007 – TWIC card introduced for drivers who need unescorted access at a port
2008 – I-295 from Gardiner to Topsham closes for three months for complete rebuild
2009 – MMTA honors first female Driver of the Year, Deborah Seelow from Hartt Transportation Systems
2010s
2010 – Dale Hanington retires from MMTA; Brian Parke replaces him as President and CEO
2011 – Senator Susan Collins secures provision allowing six-axle, 100,000-lbs. trucks to travel on all federal interstates in Maine for 20 years