JFA staff, in association with Metro Analytics, developed Montgomery MPO’s very first Regional Freight Plan. The team developed a regional freight profile by identifying commodity flows based on Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) data, identifying freight bottlenecks throughout the three-county metropolitan area, and developing recommendations for the plan. Improvements included “quick win” intersection operational improvements, freight-specific ITS corridors, and a specific improvement district to enhance freight access to the Port of Montgomery area. JFA staff also played a pivotal role in developing the plan’s outreach program, including interviews with representatives from the Alabama Ports and Montgomery Regional Airport.

The plan identifies policies, transportation projects, and implementation strategies to improve overall freight mobility in the Montgomery region, including evaluating rail and intermodal facilities and operations at the Port of Montgomery and Montgomery Regional Airport. The primary data source was FHWA’s Freight Analysis Framework data, supplemented with stakeholder input and ALDOT traffic and truck flow data, which helped JFA staff identify a baseline regional freight network.

Once the baseline network was established, JFA staff identified specific issues through additional stakeholder outreach and analysis of long-term freight movement trends and best practices, resulting in a matrix of recommended policies and projects. Three key projects identified included completion of the Montgomery Outer Loop, enhancement of the I-85/I-65 interchange, and capacity expansion of the I-85 and I-65 corridors, providing the Montgomery MPO with an implementable roadmap to improve freight mobility.