The Arizona Department of Transportation is accepting public comment on its updated State Freight Plan, which identifies future improvements to the state's transportation system critical to the movement of goods.
The plan, available for comment through October 13, forecasts freight demand in Arizona through 2050 and identifies transportation facilities and infrastructure that support economic growth. The draft includes comprehensive assessments of freight and goods movement status, state rail conditions, and border crossing improvements.
The plan was developed with input from more than 60 freight industry representatives who served on a Freight Advisory Committee during a year-long update process. According to the transportation agency, the study team prioritized transportation needs to address bottlenecks and fulfill goals of safety, mobility, competitiveness and stewardship.
Approximately $125 million is estimated to be available to Arizona through the National Highway Freight Program for freight-related projects. The State Freight Plan is updated every five years, as required by federal law, with the previous version completed in 2022.