Multimodal Transportation
The Delta Regional Authority released its multimodal transportation plan for the region in 2008. The authority had been mandated by Congress to develop a comprehensive multimodal strategic plan. That mandate was included in the 2005 national highway act.
During the fall of 2007, the DRA hosted a series of public meetings to gather information on multimodal transportation in the region.
"When Congress directed us to prepare a report on the multimodal transportation assets and needs in our region, along with recommendations, we were delighted to take on the task," says Pete Johnson, the DRA's federal co-chairman. "It fits perfectly into the DRA's role as a planner, a coordinator of resources and an advocate for the Delta. This report complements our Delta Development Highway System plan, which was released in 2007. When the DRA was created by Congress in 2000, one of the investment priorities outlined was the transportation infrastructure of the region. We've made numerous infrastructure investments in recent years."
Thousands of hours of work during a period of more than a year were devoted to compiling the multimodal transportation plan. Eighteen meetings were held across the region, and input was received from more than 500 key players. The assets and needs were identified for highways, bridges, intelligent transportation systems, freight rail, passenger rail, waterways, ports, locks and airports. Then, recommendations to improve the multimodal transportation system were made.
"Our report is a definitive one because of this intense outreach effort," Johnson says. "We worked closely with federal, state and local agencies to ensure that this plan dovetails into their efforts. We also received guidance from the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Committee's "Transportation for Tomorrow" report, which was released in December. This effort provided the guiding principles for our recommendations: safety, efficiency, congestion reduction, economic development, energy concerns and environmental concerns."
The same consulting team that developed the Delta Development Highway System plan -- Wilbur Smith Associates, the Michael Baker Corp. and Neel-Schaffer Inc. -- came together again to work with the DRA on the multimodal transportation plan.
"More than $200 billion in investments will be needed during the next 25 years to ensure the efficient movement of people and goods in the Delta," Johnson says. "This region has become a vital cog in the world logistics and distribution network. Our report shows why making these investments will be a wise move as this country competes in the increasingly complex global economy of the new century."
Click here (126 kb) to view the Multimodal Assets and Needs in the DRA Region