(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on May 17, 2011.)
Illinois’ General Assembly has approved legislation that would require the state to assess the freight transportation system and craft a plan to improve the flow of freight by rail, roads, air and water in Illinois, according to business and civic organization Metropolis Strategies.
The Freight Mobility Plan Act (House Bill 1761), which awaits action by Gov. Pat Quinn, calls for a freight mobility component to be added to the state transportation plan. State officials would be required to assess the freight system and identify trends, needs and economic opportunities. In addition, they would need to issue recommendations on operation and management improvements; projects that would eliminate system inefficiencies; project funding methods; and policies that would ensure goods movement, Metropolis Strategies officials said in a prepared statement.
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