Freight
The mobility of freight from, to, and through this region is important factor by which transportation can enhance economic development opportunities.
Resources on this page aim to shed some light on the current state of and future plans for freight transportation in Greater Peoria.
Heart of Illinois Regional Port District
With funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County), in collaboration with the Heart of Illinois Regional Port District (HIRPD) and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC), developed the Port District’s first-ever Master Plan and Implementation Strategy. The plan provides a foundation for guiding future activities by defining HIRPD’s vision and goals, outlining current and future market dynamics, summarizing legislative powers, and identifying potential terminal opportunities. It also establishes a long-term blueprint to guide implementation and investment along the Illinois River, also known as Marine Highway 55.
Resources
Partners
- Heart of Illinois Regional Port District
- Greater Peoria Economic Development Council
Greater Peoria Multi-Modal Freight Growth Study
TCRPC engaged Tioga Group, with Envision Group as a subconsultant, to examine the feasibility of a multi-modal port in the Greater Peoria region along the Illinois River. Completed in 2017, this planning effort brought together local and regional public- and private-sector stakeholders to help guide strategic investments in port facilities and related freight infrastructure.
Two phased studies were completed as part of this effort and are available here for review under “Resources.” A third, more detailed phase was considered for moving the Peoria Container on Barge initiative forward, but ultimately was not funded.
Freight in Illinois
Did you know Illinois ranks third in the country in freight tonnage?
Illinois has been, and continues to be, a key hub in the national freight transportation network. Railroads, rivers, interstates, and airports combine to provide a wide range of options for moving a broad spectrum of goods efficiently across the state and the country.
IDOT’s Illinois 2023 State Freight Plan, linked to the right, is the most recent statewide freight plan. As part of this effort, IDOT also developed freight plans for each of its nine districts. The Greater Peoria area is located in District 4, and the District 4 Freight Plan is included under “Resources.”
Previous statewide freight plans from 2017 and 2012 are also under “Resources” for reference.