FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION
Photo: VISIT Milwaukee
The freight transportation system in Southeastern Wisconsin is essential for maintaining and growing the Region's manufacturers and economy. VISION 2050 recommends a multimodal freight transportation system designed to provide for the efficient and safe movement of goods to, from, and within Southeastern Wisconsin. The regional highway freight network (RHFN), comprised of designated truck routes and the National Highway System (NHS), is a particularly important component of the Region's freight transportation system. In 2018, trucks transported about 83 percent of all freight by weight, and about 79 percent of all freight by value, to, from, and within the Region. The RHFN largely consists of arterial streets and highways in the Region intended to carry a higher percentage of truck traffic. Review the key recommendations related to freight transportation and a summary of recent activity. Then, explore relevant metrics the Commission monitors using the interactive maps and charts provided below.
WHAT VISION 2050 RECOMMENDS:
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Activity since VISION 2050 was originally adopted in 2016
â–² Commission and WisDOT identified critical urban and rural freight corridors to prioritize future Federal investment
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â–² WisDOT coordinated an OSOW Working Group, resulting in infrastructure improvements to and preservation of a key OSOW route in Milwaukee County
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â–² WisDOT Freight Advisory Committee's Intermodal Subcommittee completed a report that presents potential strategies for developing a truck-rail intermodal facility in Wisconsin and WisDOT initiated a grant program to provide support
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â–² WisDOT pursuing Muskego Yard Bypass, including applying for Federal funding
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â–² Functional improvements to the street and highway network help to reduce congestion and bottlenecks on the regional highway freight network
REGIONAL HIGHWAY FREIGHT NETWORK
Congestion on the Regional Highway Freight Network
2011
2019
Source: SEWRPC
Miles of Arterial Streets and Highways on the Regional Highway Freight Network by Capacity and Congestion Status: 2011-2019
The portion of the regional highway freight network that is considered over capacity (i.e., portions of roadway carrying traffic volumes that exceed design capacity) has remained relatively stable since 2011, decreasing 15% from 244 miles in 2011 to 207 miles in 2019. In 2019, about 12% of the total Regional Highway Freight Network was considered over capacity.
Source: SEWRPC