(Image Source: MODOT)
JEFFERSON CITY - 03/02/2022 – The draft 2022 Missouri State Freight and Rail Plan (SFRP) was presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) at its monthly meeting March 1. The comprehensive document is now available for public review and comment through March 31 at www.modot.org/draft-documents.
“The pandemic exposed many challenges in the supply chain,” said Missouri Department of Transportation’s Waterways and Freight Administrator Cheryl Ball. “We were fortunate to have been working on this plan over the past two years so we could incorporate adaptations for the rapidly evolving supply chain into our recommendations for future transportation investments.”
The document focuses on data to inform decisions for projects focusing on the goals of spurring economic growth, taking care of the system, keeping travelers safe, giving Missourians transportation choices, improving reliability and reducing congestion of the transportation system. It provides information and guidance for investment decisions to enhance the passenger rail and all modes of freight movement in the state.
Given Missouri’s central location and abundance of transportation resources available, a combined Freight and Rail Plan identifies strategies for the transportation network to operate harmoniously across all modes. Missouri’s Rail Plan was last updated in 2012, and the State Freight Plan was updated in 2017. This new 2022 plan combines the State Freight and State Rail plans to access portions of the federal funds and apply for multiple discretionary grants.
“Efficient multimodal freight and passenger rail movement is critical for all Missourians’ quality of life,” Ball said. “It reduces the prices we pay at the store, supports job creation and retention, as well as providing important access for Missourians who cannot or chose not to drive. This draft plan identifies steps Missouri can take to improve the efficiency for today and tomorrow.”
Original Article - MoDOT