Iowa DOT releases state’s first freight plan
AMES, Iowa – July 26, 2016 – The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced that they have finalized Iowa’s first dedicated State Freight Plan. The plan will be used by the department to guide future freight initiatives and investments in Iowa’s multimodal freight transportation system. Freight planning, which is a high priority at the Iowa DOT, is also receiving increased attention at the federal level. With the latest transportation reauthorization, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, states are now required to develop a freight plan that provides a comprehensive plan for immediate and long-range planning activities and investments with respect to freight.
Iowa’s plan was heavily influenced by interested stakeholders, particularly Iowa’s Freight Advisory Council (FAC), which is made up of a diverse group of representatives of Iowa’s freight industry. The FAC exists primarily to guide the Iowa DOT in fostering a safe, efficient, and convenient multimodal transportation system that enhances the competitiveness of Iowa’s business and industry.
Ron Lang, an independent trucker and current chair of the FAC, stated, "There is a direct correlation between the success of economic activity in the state and the availability of reliable freight transportation that serves all facets of commerce. The council worked closely with the Iowa DOT to review various modal strategies and improvements and recommend where to focus resources to achieve the most impact on economic growth."
The State Freight Plan development process was also guided by a dedicated stakeholder committee, as well as Iowa’s nine metropolitan planning organizations and 18 regional planning affiliations. Sam Hiscocks, Iowa DOT’s freight coordinator, credits this input. “We are very grateful for the quality of engagement and input we received throughout this process. We believe it has produced one of the most comprehensive state freight plans in the nation,” said Hiscocks.
The plan will be updated at least every five years in accordance with new federal requirements. You can view the plan and related information online at: www.iowadot.gov/iowainmotion/freight.html.
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Contact: Sam Hiscocks, Office of Systems Planning, at 515-239-1004 or [email protected]