The draft 2022 Missouri State Freight and Rail Plan (SFRP) was presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission (MHTC) at its monthly meeting on March 1. The comprehensive document is now available for public review and comment through March 31 at www.modot.org/missouri-state-freight-and-rail-plan.

Missouri Department of Transportation’s Waterways and Freight Administrator Cheryl Ball says, “The pandemic exposed many challenges in the supply chain. We were fortunate to have been working on this plan over the past two years so we could incorporate adaptations for the rapidly evolving supply chain into our recommendations for future transportation investments.”

According to a news release, the document focuses on data to inform decisions for projects focusing on the goals of spurring economic growth, taking care of the system, keeping travelers safe, giving Missourians transportation choices, improving reliability and reducing congestion of the transportation system.

Missouri’s Rail Plan was last updated in 2012, and the State Freight Plan was updated in 2017. This new 2022 plan combines the State Freight and State Rail plans to access portions of the federal funds and apply for multiple discretionary grants.

Ball says, “[The rail movement] reduces the prices we pay at the store, supports job creation and retention, as well as providing important access for Missourians who cannot or choose not to drive. This draft plan identifies steps Missouri can take to improve the efficiency for today and tomorrow.”

Public comments can be made through an online form on the plan website through March 31.

The final plan will be presented to the MHTC at its May meeting.