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Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Route 219 project clears regulatory hurdle
SOMERSET, Pa. – Somerset County and state transportation officials received federal clearance to proceed with a preferred U.S. Route 219 path to Maryland. The Federal Highway Administration has issued its final Environmental Impact Statement, enabling continued design work to proceed on a proposed six-mile four-lane route between Meyersdale and the Mason-Dixon Line. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials previously selected the route – called 'E-Shift Modified' on preliminary documents from a list of several finalists. And Somerset County leaders have backed the plan as the most direct – and most cost-effective – path. But plans for the path needed to complete a federal review before proceeding. An executive summary uploaded this month to the U.S. Route 219 project's website cited the plan's limited impact to farmland, populated areas and wetlands, compared to other options. With just two new bridges planned, the route's construction will likely be $100 million cheaper. As planned, the route will travel south of Meyersdale and veer several miles east of Salisbury Borough in Elk Lick Township before connecting to a yet-to-be-built nearly two mile link in Maryland to the Interstate 68 corridor. The two-mile path is incorporated into the project as part of a joint effort between the states of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The approval enables an extensive final design, right-of-way acquisitions and permitting to occur over the next several years, PennDOT officials said. Those phases are fully funded. But additional funding will need to be secured to complete the project's eventual construction, state and county officials have said. If all goes as planned, construction would start on the project in 2029 – and be completed in 2031. David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TDDavidHurst.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
North America Car Air Fresheners Market Analysis 2025-2030 Featuring The Procter & Gamble Company, Eikosha Co., Balev Corporation, Flower Manufacturing, and Exotica Fresh Co. Among Others
Key opportunities include catering to rising consumer demand for long-lasting, pleasant fragrances in personal vehicles, and the shift towards natural, eco-friendly products North American Car Air Freshener Market Dublin, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Car Air Freshener Market, By Country, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F" has been added to offering. The North America Car Air Freshener Market was valued at USD 0.98 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.32 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 5.05%. Growth in this market is primarily driven by the increasing number of vehicles and rising consumer preference for enhanced in-car experiences. As personal vehicles evolve into extended living spaces, there is growing demand for products that offer long-lasting, pleasant fragrances. Consumers are also becoming more conscious of hygiene and odor control within car interiors, which has elevated the appeal of air fresheners. Innovations across formats - such as sprays, gels, and vent clips - cater to varied user preferences, while an emerging focus on eco-friendly and natural ingredients aligns with environmental values. Factors such as urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and a robust automotive aftermarket are further contributing to the market's steady growth across North America. Key Market Drivers Increasing Vehicle Ownership Across the Region: The growth in vehicle ownership across North America is a central factor boosting demand for car air fresheners. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the U.S. had over 284 million registered vehicles in 2023, with a majority being privately or commercially owned. As more individuals utilize personal vehicles for daily commutes and travel, there is an increased emphasis on interior comfort and freshness. Busy lifestyles and prolonged hours spent on the road have created strong demand for odor-neutralizing and pleasant-smelling car environments. This trend, combined with rising urbanization and middle-class incomes, drives the consumption of air fresheners. In response, manufacturers continue to expand product offerings across various forms and fragrance profiles to meet the evolving needs of a growing and diverse consumer base. Key Market Challenges Strict Government Norms: Strict regulatory standards governing the chemical composition of car air fresheners pose a major challenge for the market. Authorities are imposing limitations on the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially hazardous ingredients to ensure better indoor air quality and consumer safety. Adapting to these regulations requires product reformulations, increased production costs, and compliance with complex safety and labeling protocols. These adjustments can delay product releases and hinder innovation, especially for smaller manufacturers. As a result, companies must navigate a challenging landscape that demands the development of effective, safe, and compliant formulations while maintaining cost efficiency and customer appeal. Key Market Trends Increased Consumer Shift Towards Natural & Organic Products: Consumers in North America are increasingly opting for car air fresheners formulated with natural and organic ingredients. Approximately 45% prefer options made with essential oils and plant-based components, avoiding synthetic chemicals linked to health and environmental concerns. The trend is driving innovation in fragrance development, with popular scents such as eucalyptus, citrus, and lavender gaining traction. Products marketed as biodegradable, cruelty-free, and free from phthalates or parabens are becoming standard as consumers align their choices with wellness and sustainability values. Rising Popularity of Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Packaging: Sustainability is emerging as a significant focus in the North American car air freshener market. Around 50% of consumers express a willingness to pay more for products with eco-conscious packaging. Brands are transitioning to biodegradable and recyclable materials, including compostable plastics and recycled paper. This shift is being driven not only by consumer demand but also by regulatory encouragement. Companies like Enviroscent have embraced sustainable innovation by incorporating natural essential oils and recyclable packaging in their product lines. Rising Demand for Premium & Luxury Freshener: A growing segment of consumers is seeking premium and luxury car air fresheners that offer more than basic odor control. These products provide enhanced fragrance longevity, elegant packaging, and sophisticated scent profiles. Features such as scent customization, adjustable intensity, and smart technology integration are attracting consumers looking to personalize their driving environment. This reflects a broader trend of luxury and personalization in automotive accessories, with consumers increasingly treating their vehicles as lifestyle extensions. Key Players Profiled in the North America Car Air Freshener Market: The Procter & Gamble Company Eikosha Co., Ltd. Balev Corporation Flower Manufacturing, LLC Exotica Fresh Co. ELiX Ltd. Vrn Lifestyle Private Limited Airpro Cande Craft Co. Car Cologne Report Scope In this report, the North America Car Air Freshener Market has been segmented into the following categories: North America Car Air Freshener Market, By Product Type: Clip-on Plug-ins Spray/Aerosol Paper Hanging Others North America Car Air Freshener Market, By Product Form: Crystal Foam Liquid Gel Others North America Car Air Freshener Market, By Sales Channel: Supermarkets and Hypermarkets Specialty Stores Online Others North America Car Air Freshener Market, By Country: United States Canada Mexico Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 132 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $0.98 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.32 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5% Regions Covered North America For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment North American Car Air Freshener Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Rachel Carson Bridge to close over the next two weeks for inspections
Drivers and cyclists in Downtown Pittsburgh who use the Rachel Carson Bridge (Ninth Street) will have to find a detour at times over the next two weeks. The Department of Public Works announced on Thursday morning that the bridge will be closed starting on Monday, June 16, at 6 a.m. and will remain closed through Friday, June 20, at 3 p.m. After reopening for the weekend, the bridge will once again be closed on Monday, June 23, at 6 a.m. until Friday, June 27, at 3 p.m. Both of the closures are for routine inspection. While the bridge is shut down, traffic will be detoured using Fort Duquesne Boulevard, the Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street), and Isabella Street. When the bridge was last inspected in November 2023, inspectors gave the bridge a condition rating of six, meaning in fair condition, on a scale of zero to nine, which is based on National Bridge Inspection Standards established by the Federal Highway Administration. According to the county, the bridge carries an average of more than 10,000 vehicles per day. The bridge was opened in 1926 and was rehabilitated in 2019-2020 with a $24.2 million project.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Bikes lanes coming to Station Street in Saint John
A commonly travelled Saint John street is about to undergo a 'road diet.' The city has announced plans for Station Street and City Road – stretching from Smythe Street to just east of the Stanley Street pedestrian bridge – to be reduced from a four-lane roadway to three to accommodate new bikes lanes. The three lanes of traffic will consist of two through lanes going either way, and a centre turning lane. Designated bike lanes will be present on either side of the road along the curb. 'Combined with the existing sidewalks, this redesign will create a key active transportation corridor in line with MoveSJ , Saint John's Transportation Plan,' the city said in a press release. 'This corridor is part of Saint John's section of the Trans Canada Trail , linking Harbour Passage and the Stanley Street pedestrian bridge, and further connecting the South Central Peninsula to Rockwood Park.' Saint John Bike Lanes A commonly travelled Saint John street is about to undergo a 'road diet.' (Source: City of Saint John) City studies by the Federal Highway Administration show road diets can reduces crashes anywhere from 19 to 47 per cent. Saint John has already undergone 'road diets' on a number of streets, including Metcalf and Somerset Streets, as well as Milledgeville and University Avenue. The city is committed to make 20 per cent of trips within its limits possible by using sustainable transportation methods as part of its Strategic Plan . No timeline was given for when the road transformation will begin. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I-65 fiery truck crashes ignite conversation about tolling, expanding highway
Recent fiery truck accidents on Interstate 65 in southern Lake and Jasper counties in the spring resulted in long traffic delays and asphalt repairs, which have resurfaced questions about tolling and expanding I-65. House Enrolled Act 1461, authored by state Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, would allow the state to charge tolls on all Indiana interstate highways, including Interstate 80/94 and I-65. Specifically, the law allows the Indiana Department of Transportation to submit a request to the Federal Highway Administration for a waiver to toll lanes on interstate highways. If the waiver is granted, the legislature would not have to enact a statute for the Indiana finance authority to take action on tolling. Indiana uses fuel tax to fund road projects, Braun said at an event in Munster last month, but as vehicles become more fuel efficient drivers have been buying less gas. Braun said he 'probably will' ask for federal approval to toll Indiana highways. 'It's going to have to be considered because otherwise, I don't think we can maintain our main arteries,' Braun said. 'Asking for the ability to do it doesn't mean you're going to do it comprehensively. You do it selectively, where the need is the greatest.' Indiana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cassandra Bajek said Monday that the department hasn't received information from the governor's office or the legislature about beginning to toll roads in Indiana. 'That question is still being answered. We're still waiting to hear what their intent was with that one,' Bajek said. Expanding I-65 to three lanes, for both northbound and southbound traffic, 'is always a topic of conversation' at INDOT, 'however we do not currently have a project in place to do so' in Northwest Indiana, Bajek said. A truck fire in April led to paint cans exploding from the vehicle and halting traffic on I-65 southbound. A truck driver pulled over near mile-marker 231 on I-65 southbound around 1 p.m. April 21. The driver noticed the brakes on one side of the tractor were glowing red and started on fire, according to an Indiana State Police news release. The driver ran to get a fire extinguisher from the cab, but when she returned the fire had spread to the trailer, which was filled with paint cans, according to the release. The paint cans 'ignited and caused an intense fire that quickly spread to the adjacent trees and even caught the asphalt roadway surface on fire,' according to the release. As crews worked to put out the fire, there was a moment when north and southbound lanes were closed because of the smoke. When the scene was cleared, a large section of asphalt had to be replaced, according to the release. The highway was closed for approximately 16 hours, Bajek said. A semi-truck crash in May led to a fire, closed I-65 near Lowell for hours and needed asphalt repair. A UPS truck crashed while headed northbound on I-65 near mile-marker 238.8 May 17 after exiting a construction zone lane restriction. The truck 'experienced a sudden tire failure on one of the steer tires' which resulted in the driver losing control of the truck, according to an Indiana State Police news release. The truck and trailer overturned, which blocked the entire roadway, and caught fire. The driver was able to get out of the truck but was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the release. The asphalt was damaged and deemed unsafe for traffic, according to the release, so it had to be replaced and refilled. The road was closed for approximately 10 hours, Bajek said. As a result, beginning in June, the Lake County Sheriff's Department Traffic Unit began enforcing operations targeting overweight vehicles that are damaging roadways and impacting driver safety along the state line in southwest Lake County, according to a Lake County Sheriff's Department news release. The department will send out more than 60 warning notices to companies and drivers of vehicles in violation of weight limits. Drivers will receive tickets if they continue to ignore weight restrictions on county roadways, according to the sheriff's release. In Lake County, there is a 15-ton limit on 197th, 185th and 151st from U.S. 41 west to State Line Road, according to the sheriff's release. 'We are taking this proactive approach to help reduce the kind of heavy traffic on weight restricted roads that causes significant wear and tear on the roads,' Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in the release. 'The accelerated degradation of the roads leads to increased maintenance costs for taxpayers.' akukulka@
