We are pleased to tell you that at the July 8 meeting of the Mississippi Valley Conference Board of Directors in Kansas City, the board unanimously approved the extension of the Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition (MVFC) for two years and theworkplan for the 2008-2010 cycle.  At that meeting, Dr. Teresa Adams presented updates on the current projects and activities of the MVFC and outlined the planned efforts.

We appreciate that hard work and assistance to help make this possible.
This executive committee decision continues the Coalition at the same basic level it has operated since 2006.

Proposed Financial Plan

We look forward to having all ten states of the MVC region financially supporting the program activities for the first time.  With the ongoing activities in each of the states (i.e. the Kansas Freight Plan, Wisconsin’s Truck Size and Weight Study, the I-70 Dedicated Truck Lanes Project, and many others), now is the time to proceed with regional freight project activities and information.

The staff here at the Center are committed to providing service to the states of the MVFC.  One exciting new initiative for us is to bring on a new staff member to coordinate the coalition activities, expand member services, and improve communication with the committees. With the growth of the CFIRE and MVFC programs, we look forward to being able to provide enhanced and timely services to you all.

2008-2010 Projects

As expressed by the states through the Technical Committee back in March/April, further refined and improved, and now approved through the MVC Board of Directors and MVC Executive Committee, the MVFC projects for 2008-2010:

1. Outreach Materials: Within the region and elsewhere, the general public and policy makers lack awareness of multimodal freight, its importance to our economy, and the fragility of our freight transportation system. This project will develop and disseminate outreach materials and media kits to promote awareness and understanding of freight operations and to communicate the importance of freight and multimodal networks to the economic competitiveness and well-being of the region. Each state’s freight outreach plan will be considered in the course of this project in coordination with state members of the Technical Committee. Budget: $90,000
2. Develop Regional Recommendations for Reauthorization: This project will craft a regional message for federal reauthorization. The message will be a broad policy level recommendation to help position and define the region by emphasizing its strength, uniqueness, and importance. Development of the message will build upon the coalition’s analysis of the National Commission’s report and will complement not duplicate efforts by AASHTO, the Midwest Governors Association, and others. Depending on the advice of the states, discussions on revenue may be included in the project. Budget: $80,000
3. Transportation Profiles for MVC Commodities and Industries: This project will focus on exports and other outbound traffic of products grown or manufactured in the MVFC region. Selected key agricultural and industrial products will be used to demonstrate the flows of commodities in the region and a standard profile template will be developed for the industries and commodities. This project will also analyze trends and potential regional economic benefits of modifications in size and/or weight restrictions. Budget: $200,000
4. Performance measures for evaluating multi-state projects: This project will develop freight focused performance measures for multistate corridor projects. The project will build upon measures being developed for multi-state alliances and interstate corridors such as the dedicated truck lanes corridor project, theNorthwest Passage, Lake Michigan Interstate Gateway Alliance, and other Corridor of the Future projects. The research team will explore the transferability of measures across different multi-state efforts and recommendations for establishing performance measures for multi-state freight projects. Budget $110,000
5. Critical Sections and Resiliency of Freight Corridors in the MVFC: This project will identify key nodes and sections, including intermodal connectors, on the MVFC freight network. The project will define and assess impact on the freight transport system if capacity is partially or completely lost. This project will involve risk assessments and include key components of the roadway infrastructure and intermodal connections.  Budget: $185,000
6. Member Services for the MVFC Pooled Fund Activities: The MVFC member states will receive core services such as the coordinating annual meetings, supporting the website, quarterly reporting, newsletters, coordinating peer groups, and facilitating the Mississippi Valley Traffic Operations Coalition. Budget: $85,000