TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LINKAGES

PRESENTED BY DEBRA M. SIMMONS WILSONPARSONS BRINCKERHOFF

Transportation and Economic

Development

Yes, there is a connection!

Transportation has advanced tremendously over time!

Without it - our quality of life would be drastically different!

ACCESS is Essential

• Transportation is defined as any means of conveying people and goods.

• Imagine how different our lives would be without roads, bridges, airports, waterways, telephone and cable lines, railroads, public transit systems, bikeways, and even sidewalks!!

• Every facet of our everyday lives are impacted by transportation and the economic activity that it generates

INDIANA TRANSPORTATION FACTS

• Indiana’s transportation network is multi-modal with the roadway system accounting for over 93,000 miles

• As “The Crossroads of America,” Indiana roads carry more than $1 trillion in goods and exceeds 9.5 billion miles of commercial truck traffic annually

• More than $5 billion worth of Hoosier-grown produce, poultry and livestock relies on an efficient transportation system

INDIANA TRANSPORTATION FACTS

• Transportation construction industry employs more than 48,000 Hoosiers

• Every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure generates more than $2.5 billion in economic activity, including the creation of 47,500

Investments since 1999 boost Indiana economy!

$70M Aggregate Sales

$129M Asphalt and Cement Sales

$57-75M Engineering Services

$172M Transportation, Communications

and Utilities

$100M Wholesale and Retail Trade

$86M Finance, Insurance and Real

Estate

INDIANA TRANSPORTATION FACTS

• Indiana ports(3), railroads(39), airports(69), and transit systems(53) also contribute to Indiana’s economic activity

• Including freight tonnage, wages, and operations, and other economic activity the non-highway modes contribute over $84 billion to Indiana’s economy

Some transportation activity provides large economic benefits

Goals are to:• Strengthen the transportation

network in Southwest Indiana;

• Support economic development in Southwest Indiana; and,

• Complete the portion of the National I-69 project between Evansville and Indianapolis

Hoosier Heartland Highway = Economic Engine

• Designated in the 1991 funding bill as a Congressional High Priority Corridor 

• Part of the National Highway System 

• 4-lane corridor connecting Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and Indianapolis, and is necessary for economic development  of North Central Indiana

 

Transportation and Economic Growth are Inseparable

• US 24 Fort Wayne to Toledo, OH (Fort to Port)

• I-70 Relocation Project

• Six Points Road Interchange

• Indianapolis New Midfield Terminal

Transportation and Economic Activity are connected

• Building the nation’s highways put thousands of citizens to work

• Investing in the future of Transportation = an Investment in our Economy