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Understanding the timeline on the Mexican Truckers Project...

*** Febuary News Release from DOT (Excerpt)

“Cross Border Truck Safety Inspection Program
News
DOT 21-07
Friday, February 23, 2007
Contact: Sarah Echols
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

New Program to Allow U.S. Trucks into Mexico for the First Time Ever, Change Way Some Mexican Trucks Operate Within the United States, El Paso, Texas – U.S. trucks will for the first time be allowed to make deliveries in Mexico under a year-long pilot program that expands cross border trucking operations with Mexico, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today during a visit to truck inspection facilities in El Paso, Texas.”

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/cbtsip/dot2107.htm

*** Press Release (Excerpt) issued by U.S. Department of Transportation in April as snipped below:

“Monday, April 30, 2007
Contact: Brian Turmail, 202-366-4570
DOT 43-07

U.S., Mexican Trucks Will Begin Cross-Border Demonstration Program at Same Time

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that U.S. trucks will begin operating in Mexico for the first time ever starting at the same time Mexican trucks begin operating north of the commercial border zone in the U.S. The Secretary noted that the improvements to the demonstration program are a result of recent conversations with the Mexican government and Congress.”

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/news/news-releases/2007/043007.htm

***A follow-up Audit is conducted (the one posted earlier upthread and again below) which posted problems still existing as of August 6th 2007 (issue date of Audit Results), release date 21 Aug 07. The furthest date out was indeed September 1st 2007, set as a response to the recommendation in 3b as shown below (Excerpt).

“Response: CONCUR. The FMCSA is working closely with the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC), Office of the Secretary, to conduct audits of various drug collection facilities operated by the Government of Mexico. These audits will be completed by September 1, 2007. Additionally, ODAPC has worked closely with the Government of Mexico to ensure the policies, procedures and forms used in their governmental controlled substance and alcohol testing program are consistent with, and meet the requirements of, 49 CFR Part 40. All Mexico-domiciled motor carriers are required to have alcohol controlled substance testing programs that meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 40. If the Mexican drug and alcohol collection sites and laboratory do not meet United States specification, the motor carrier will be required to use facilities in the United States that meet the requirements. Use of collection site and laboratory facilities that meet all United States requirements is verified during the pre-authorization safety audit and monitored during compliance reviews of the Mexico-domiciled motor carriers. Violations discovered during compliance reviews may result in enforcement action against the motor carriers.”

http://www.oig.dot.gov/StreamFile?file=/data/pdfdocs/NAFTA_Annual_8-20-07_FINAL_508_compliant.pdf (page 41)

*** Reports indicate it’s to go through next Thursday, September 7th???