Trump OKs Freight-Only Border Bridge Between US, Mexico
The elevated freight-only system, a first-of-its-kind at the U.S.–Mexico border, aims to separate commercial cargo from regular traffic, cut down inspection times, bolster security, and support far more efficient trade flows along a corridor that handles over $300 billion annually. Congressional leaders like Rep. Henry Cuellar and Sen. Ted Cruz have applauded the bipartisan-supported project for its potential to create local construction jobs, foster economic growth in South Texas, and strengthen binational trade infrastructure.
The project is 100% privately funded, meaning it won’t draw public dollars, and Green Corridors will be responsible for all aspects—from building and inspection facilities to maintenance and operations. However, several conditions remain: Green Corridors must complete environmental reviews, obtain approval from the International Boundary and Water Commission (both U.S. and Mexico), secure diplomatic coordination, and commence construction by June 2030, or the permit will expire..
This elevated guideway adds to Laredo’s already robust border infrastructure—it becomes the fourth presidentially permitted crossing in the area—and is expected to benefit regional communities by diverting truck traffic away from city streets, cutting emissions, and enhancing cross-border security and logistics efficiency.
For more information, you can read the full article here.
Canadian National to move forward on new Chicago-area logistics hub
A central focus of this investment is the development of the Chicago Logistics Hub, an ambitious 900-acre intermodal terminal and logistics park near Channahon (Grundy County), approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago. The facility is designed to create about 600 construction jobs and 6,500 permanent roles once operational, contributing an estimated $20.9 million in annual property tax revenue for regional municipalities.
This project is *privately funded, requiring no public dollars, and seeks to strengthen supply chain resilience by expanding intermodal capacity—complementing prior investments such as a four-mile siding extension and new intermodal equipment in the Chicago corridor. With nearly 1,256 route miles of track and around 1,667 employees in Illinois, CN’s network underpins approximately $1 billion in local economic spending and contributes $46 million in state tax revenue annually.
By boosting infrastructure, technology, and workforce development, CN aims to improve rail efficiency, enhance customer service, and support long-term sustainable growth across Illinois and the broader North American rail network.
For more info, you can read the full article here.
Tariff Revenue Hits Record $23 Billion in May
In May, the U.S. government collected a record-breaking $23 billion in tariff revenue. This is the highest amount ever gathered in a single month from import tariffs—taxes charged on goods brought into the country. The sharp increase came as more products faced import taxes and trade policies changed, especially on items from key countries.
These new tariffs affect goods like steel, aluminum, electronics, and other products that arrive through ports and land border crossings. The extra money shows how much the government is now depending on these taxes to raise funds. But some experts worry these higher import costs may raise prices for consumers and businesses in the U.S.
While the tariff money helped boost government income, it might also slow global trade. When goods from other countries become more expensive, buyers in the U.S. may limit their orders or find alternate suppliers. That could reduce the flow of imports over time, changing supply chains and the number of shipments moving into the country.
XPO Opens Its Largest Facility, Employing 450 in Pennsylvania
This newly renovated hub, once part of the historic Roadway Express and later Yellow fleets, now functions as a critical gateway between the Northeast and Midwest regions. With nearly 300 dock doors, the site handles significant freight volume and serves as a strategic node within XPO’s North American LTL network.
The facility currently employs approximately 450 team members, including around 180 drivers, alongside supervisors, customer service staff, dock workers, and maintenance technicians. This represents a 25% increase in both footprint and workforce compared to any previous XPO operation, highlighting the ambitious scale of the expansion.
In 2023, XPO acquired 28 former Yellow service centers—including this Carlisle location—as part of a strategic $870 million deal following Yellow’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Since finalizing that acquisition in January 2024, XPO has invested heavily in revitalizing the sites to meet growing demand in regional freight flows. The Carlisle hub now supports streamlined transit, enhanced logistical capacity, and comprehensive service coverage thanks to its modern infrastructure and sizable team.
For more info, you can read full article here.
New enMotion Robots Aim to Cut Travel Time by 80 Percent
The platform’s flagship solution, enMotion Robotics, features both single- and double-deep pallet cobots designed for full-case picking. These autonomous forklift-like units use LiDAR-based SLAM navigation and 360‑degree safety scanners to move pallets to pick zones, slashing travel and search times by nearly 80 percent compared to traditional systems. Unlike older AGVs, enMotion’s robots rely on warehouse features, not reflectors, for orientation, allowing for more flexible and safe navigation.
Delivered via a Robotics‑as‑a‑Service (RaaS) model, enMotion offers a subscription-based deployment—making advanced automation accessible without significant upfront capital. It integrates seamlessly with customers’ existing WMS, WES, and ERP systems, and provides rapid rollout, full lifecycle support, and data-driven process optimization. According to GreyOrange, customers can expect 2–4× productivity gains and full ROI within 6–18 months.
By uniting enVista’s control software with GreyMatter’s orchestration capabilities, enMotion delivers operational flexibility and vendor-agnostic robotics coordination—an important step forward for mid-size DCs ready to automate efficiently. This collaboration with GreyOrange cements enVista’s vision for next-gen warehouse optimization and paves the way for future enhancements in multi-robot management.
For more information, you can read the full article here.
Tesla to Launch First Ever Self-Driving Car Delivery in Austin
A few days earlier, on June 22, Tesla plans to start running its first fully autonomous “Robotaxi” rides in Austin. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, announced both the self-driving delivery and Robotaxi plans on his X account. He explained that the Model Y that drives itself to a customer’s house on June 28 will be the first time Tesla tests hands-free delivery. This is part of Tesla’s bigger goal to make driving and car delivery safer and more efficient.
This project marks a big step for Tesla’s autonomous driving technology. They’ve already been testing driverless Model Y vehicles around Austin without major problems. If these tests are successful, Tesla hopes to expand the Robotaxi service and self-delivery features to other cities. It shows how the company is working hard to bring self-driving cars and trucks into everyday life.
For more information, you can read the full article here: https://www.supplychain247.com/article/tesla-model-y-self-delivery-june-28-austin
How FreightCenter Supports Businesses During Economic Uncertainty
At FreightCenter, we understand that financial instability doesn’t stop the need for goods to move. That’s why we offer services and tools to help businesses stay agile and control logistics costs even in volatile markets:
Scalable Freight Solutions: Quickly adapt to volume fluctuations with flexible service options.
Rate Comparisons in Real Time: Secure the most cost-effective rates from our carrier network to protect your bottom line.
Strategic Shipment Planning: Optimize routes and timing to avoid unnecessary expenses or disruptions.
Our team is here to support you through the uncertainty, with logistics solutions built for resilience.
What’s Next For the Freight Industry?
After exploring the latest developments across technology, infrastructure, safety, and regulation, it’s clear the freight industry is heading into a time of transformation—both exciting and uncertain. We’ve seen how automation is no longer just a concept, but a reality unfolding in warehouses and on highways, with platforms like enVista’s enMotion and Tesla’s self-driving delivery tests leading the way. Yet as these innovations gain traction, they also introduce new vulnerabilities—from cyber threats and network complexity to the added fire risks of transporting EV batteries. The industry is learning that with greater speed and automation comes a new set of responsibilities.
Investment in infrastructure and logistics capacity is ramping up to meet these changes head-on. Canadian National Railway’s rail upgrades and XPO’s massive facility in Pennsylvania are just two examples of how freight networks are expanding to support future demand. Projects like the Green Corridors guideway at the southern border reflect a shift toward privately funded, sustainability-focused logistics routes that ease congestion and modernize trade flows. These initiatives signal long-term growth, but also raise questions about how public and private sectors will continue to share the burden of innovation.
As you’ve seen across these stories, the freight industry is not just adapting—it’s evolving. But success in this new era won’t just depend on new tech or bigger facilities. It will depend on smart risk management, clear strategy, and the ability to respond to shifting global pressures like rising tariffs and changing trade routes. Moving forward, companies that can blend agility with security, and innovation with resilience, will shape the next chapter of freight. The journey ahead is complex—but for an industry that never stops moving, it’s one more road to navigate.
