A Kenworth T680, assembled by employees at Kenworth’s manufacturing plant in Chillicothe, Ohio recently returned with special cargo – the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
The T680, operated by Michael Porter, based at Swift Transportation’s Phoenix, Arizona terminal, stopped at the Kenworth Chillicothe plant for a private event recently so Kenworth employees could see “The People’s Tree” before it completes its journey to Washington, D.C.
This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 53-foot red fir nicknamed “Silver Belle”, was harvested from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada last month. Since its harvest, Porter has transported the tree to communities across the country for special events as part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour.
“Our employees take great pride in assembling The World’s Best Trucks and welcoming back the T680, built right here in Chillicothe, has become a special way for our employees and their families to kick off the holiday season,” said Doug VanZuiden, Kenworth Chillicothe plant manager
This year marks the 12th consecutive year that a Kenworth truck will deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The annual tree lighting ceremony will be held in early December.
PrePass now in Vermont
PrePass Safety Alliance, the nonprofit public-private partnership advancing commercial vehicle safety and efficiency, today announced the introduction of its PrePass weigh station bypass mobile app in Vermont, allowing qualified commercial trucks to bypass at highway speeds, two key enforcement locations: Putney (SB, I-91) and Fair Haven (EB, SR 4).
The launch is made possible through a partnership with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, expanding the tools available to officers who protect the state’s roads and freight corridors.
The PrePass Mobile App allows qualified carriers to receive bypass decisions and customizable safety alerts directly on their mobile or telematics device without requiring additional hardware. As trucks approach an inspection site, the app securely transmits safety scores, credential information, and other compliance data to enforcement officers. Vehicles that meet Vermont’s safety and credential standards may be cleared to continue at highway speeds, while officers can focus their attention on carriers that may present a higher risk.
The two launch locations serve important regional and interstate freight corridors, connecting Vermont to New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York. The PrePass Mobile App is designed to complement—not replace—traditional inspection processes. By helping officers quickly identify safe, compliant carriers, the system frees limited enforcement resources and reduces congestion around inspection sites.
The introduction of the PrePass Mobile App in Vermont marks its 47th jurisdiction and adds momentum to the Alliance’s broader effort to expand digital bypass solutions throughout the Northeast and at more than 586 locations across North America.
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