Regional Solutions for a Regional Issue
Mid-America Freight Coalition member, Iowa DOT, has completed their draft freight plan. It has been posted on their website and is available for download and comment. The plan is designed to connect and optimize numerous freight planning initiatives being conducted by the Iowa DOT. Additionally, it will guide Iowa DOT’s investment decisions for maintaining and […]
Introduction By: Aaron Jermier, Ernie Perry, Ben Zietlow, Teresa Adams The MAFC region contains 5,610 miles (22.2% of U.S. total) of navigable inland waterways and is the largest user of the Great Lakes to move freight. Every MAFC state has direct water access to world markets via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and […]
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently announced $4.38 million in grants from the Federal Highway Administration’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) demonstration program. Two MAFC states–Kansas and Minnesota–where among the grantees. Agency Amount Project Description Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) $1,000,000 KDOT will use its AID grant to offset the cost of a technology project known as […]
The 2014 MAFC Annual Meeting is being held in conjunction with the NAFTANEXT Summit on April 22-25, 2014 at the historic Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. The MAFC is partnering with CAGTC and NAFTANEXT to expand its meeting to address the growing focus on energy and its importance to freight transportation. This conference will include […]
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently announced the establishment of the Illinois State Freight Advisory Council to provide a standing forum for coordination of freight multimodal planning in Illinois. IDOT’s goal is to enhance the public benefits of every mode, improve intermodal connections, and sustain the state’s position as the primary freight transportation hub […]
In June, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) released The Wisconsin Economic Future Study—Statewide and Regional Analysis, prepared by the MPI Group, Inc. The study is a follow-up to a similar analysis published in 2005, and highlights statewide and regional industries that drive economic growth. It also highlights industries closely related to these driver industries, […]
The Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri DOTs have received top honors in this year’s Mid-America regional American Transportation Awards competition, sponsored by AASHTO, AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition honors transportation projects in three categories: Ahead of Schedule, Under Budget, and Best Use of Innovation. Of the twelve transportation projects from seven […]
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is pleased to release for public review and comment the draft Michigan Freight Plan, a new supplement to the 2035 MI Transportation Plan that includes a list of projects designed to address freight mobility in Michigan. MDOT is seeking comments on the plan through Aug. 7 and has scheduled […]
On May 30, outgoing USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood named the members of the National Freight Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is comprised of 47 voting members from outside the Department of Transportation. The Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, as well as representatives from other Federal agencies with freight-related obligations will serve […]
A draft of a whitepaper entitled Transportation Impacts of Frac Sand Mining in the MAFC Region: Chippewa County Case Study is now available for download. This case study outlines frac sand mining in the upper Midwest and considers the implications of this new industry on the transportation system in mining areas.