Presenters: Caroline Mays - TxDOT, Director of Planning and Modal Programs; Mikael Pelfrey - KYTC, Director-Division of Planning; Jannine Miller - GDOT;  Melissa Smith - FDOT; Preston Elliott - TN DOT; Holly Cohen - Florida DOT

Description: Economic prosperity in the Southeast has hinged on leveraging multimodal freight assets, including key international ports and gateways, an extensive rail network, and the critical national trade corridors, including I-10, I-20, I-40, I-65, I-75, I-85, and I-95. However, competition for manufacturing and industrial development is fierce, and to keep up, states will need to meet the ever-changing demands of a global supply chain. In this session, DOT leaders will discuss digital and capital infrastructure solutions, as well as regional cooperation, that will be required to ensure a safe, efficient, and resilient multimodal freight network. We will examine the freight infrastructure opportunities and challenges that the Southeast faces; identify efforts the states are taking, and discuss the framework for a regional connected freight network moonshot.

Moderator: Paula Dowell - HNTB, Senior Vice President

Staff: Stephen De Witte and Patrick Perry