In its ongoing mission to see that goods move throughout the region in a way that minimizes environmental impacts and supports economic mobility, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) is seeking public comment on proposed updates to the Central Indiana Regional Freight Plan, which was initially created in 2010.
In addition to assessing current performance and identifying needs and issues, the plan will develop policy recommendations to enhance the freight corridors and areas in the region. The IMPO is asking for public feedback on the updated freight map now through May 9, with expectations that the final map and plan will be completed by late summer.
Providing efficient transport corridors to industries such as manufacturing, retail and whole trade is critical to our region’s economy.
“With the explosive growth of distribution centers and warehouses in the region, our freight network is more important than ever,” IMPO Executive Director Anna Gremling said. “This study is aimed at improving current conditions and planning for future needs.”
According to the Existing and Future Conditions report in the freight plan, 33 percent of the region’s workforce is employed in freight-related businesses.
The IMPO’s eight-county region consists of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, Johnson and Shelby counties. The region’s freight system includes:
- Roads – The IMPO region is served by about 370 miles of interstate, 140 miles of U.S. highways and 190 miles of state highways.
- Rail – The IMPO region is served by 220 miles of Class I railroad operations and over 100 miles of regional and short line operations.
- Pipelines – Over 490 miles of pipeline carry commodities such as natural gas, refined products, and crude oil, go through the IMPO region
- Air – The IMPO region is served by one airport that provides air cargo service – the Indianapolis International Airport.
Work on the freight plan began last summer and has included data collection, a freight stakeholder survey and an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. In the survey, freight stakeholders ranked infrastructure condition, rail access and road traffic congestion as priorities to address.
About the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization is the designated MPO for central Indiana. The Indianapolis MPO plans and programs federal transportation funds for highways, transit, non-motorized transportation, and other means of moving people and goods in the eight-county central Indiana region.