Investing in our future

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Policy Goal: Economic Vitality

Support an innovative, competitive 21st century economy

Located at the intersection of three major interstate highways, Kansas City is first in rail freight volume in the U.S., a top-five trucking center, and moves more air cargo than any air center in the six-state region.

The regional transportation system supports economic vitality by helping create high-quality places for commerce, providing access to jobs, strong connections between economic centers inside and outside the region, and fostering innovation regardless of shifts in the national economy.

Strategies

1. Emphasize preservation and maintenance of existing transportation facilities.

MobilityMaintain freight infrastructure
The Regional Freight Outlook Study identified major freight zones, ports and airports in an 18-county area. A priority recommendation is to support investments that maintain and improve the system.

2. Establish stable, long-term funding sources and explore public/private partnerships.

Regional Bikeway Systemmoving goods more efficiently
Partner with KC SmartPort on logistics projects like the Trade Data Exchange, an electronic portal that automates documents needed to ship goods domestically and internationally.

3. Track return on investment to support funding decisions.

Linking Our StreetsACCESS TO JOBS
The transportation system should enable all people to gain access to good jobs and opportunity.

4. Address bottlenecks in the transportation system.

 

Comments

"Work without means to access it is nothing."

"Tourism is market driven and doesn't need additional resources."

"KC is a midway point/ switching point for many major corporations, increasing freight efficiency will help economy."

"Invest in local economies and green economy food, energy, building efficiency workforce. New local economies will be less reliant on transported goods and energy."

"Economic development should be promoted and incented to support transit, multi-modes of transportation, compact, mixed-use, walkable development."

"KC is a midway point/switching point for many major corporations, increasing freight efficiency will help economy."

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Challenges

  • In the short term, funding constraints at all levels may limit options related to both system expansion and maintenance.
  • Rising costs of goods, services and energy will likely increase the cost of our transportation options, and ultimately impact our regional affordability.
  • The availability of a high-quality, well-trained work force.

Measuring Progress