The SAFETEA-LU federal transportation legislation contains specific provisions to incorporate goods movement and economic development (or, more simply, freight) considerations in the MPO programming process. Through its long-range transportation planning, TIP development, and the conduct of technical studies (e.g., Greater Columbus Inland Port Studies, Central Ohio Regional Rail Study, Case-Study in ODOT’s Freight Impact’s on Ohio’s Roadway System Study, Central Ohio Freight Fact Book, etc.), MORPC has proactively sought to fulfill the federal requirement to include freight as a planning factor. MORPC's goal is to engage leaders in the central Ohio region in a public/private partnership for our economy and for the mobility of freight and goods. This is done in order to advance the region’s freight movement in a reliable, multimodal and intermodal, efficient, cost-effective, safe, and environmentally responsible manner, in order to maintain central Ohio as an international freight center. Strategically located within 500 miles, or a one-day truck trip, of over 50% of the U.S. population, 50% of the Canadian population, 61% of the U.S. manufacturing capacity and 80% of the U.S. corporate headquarters, Columbus, Ohio sits at a freight distribution nexus.

MORPC Freight Planning Overview

Rickenbacker Infrastructure Coordinating Committee (RICC) Maps

Fact Sheet: Alum Creek Corridor (Updated 4/1/2009)
Fact Sheet: E/W Connector (Updated 4/1/2009)
Fact Sheet: I-71/SR-665 Interchange (Updated 4/1/2009)
Fact Sheet: Rickenbacker Parkway (Updated 4/1/2009)
Rickenbacker Area Projects
Current Rickenbacker Interstate/Expressway Access
I-270/Alum Creek Dr/Groveport Rd Projects
Rickenbacker Economic Development Districts
RICC Area of Interest

Ohio Freight Conference

The third annual Ohio Conference on Freight will consider how we can capitalize on the flow of goods moving through Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the larger Midwest. Early registration will be available July 1, 2009.

The conference begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, September 22 and will conclude by 2 p.m. September 23. At this day-and-a-half conference, attendees will hear from leaders in Ohio transportation agencies, federal officials, and international agencies. The 2009 program calls for four luncheon or plenary sessions, and 16 workshops.

More Information: Ohio Freight Conference

For more information about MORPC's freight planning program, please contact Daniel Haake.