By Bardia Nezhati, PE, PTOE
Co-authored by Vern Keeslar, AICP and Jackie Kuechenmeister, AICP
The I-15 Corridor is a major transcontinental north-south highway in the western United States that extends more than 1,470 miles through the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. It serves as the economic artery linking San Diego and the Inland Empire of California with the Las Vegas metropolitan area of Nevada. An estimated 30 million tons of cargo are carried through the corridor each year.
Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) in partnership with Caltrans (California’s Department of Transportation), was awarded a National Economic Partnerships grant by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to develop the I-15 Freight Mobility Enhancement Plan (MEP). The I-15 Corridor was one of only four projects awarded The National Economic Partnerships initiative. This program promotes efficiency and regional cooperation by identifying best transportation planning practices that can be implemented across jurisdictional boundaries and is specifically focused on cooperation at the megaregion level.
Parametrix, the lead consultant for the I-15 MEP, brought together public and private sector partners along the corridor to reach consensus on urban truck parking needs, advancing strategies, and coordinating implementation next steps. The plan provides a comprehensive set of strategies including innovative technology solutions along with supportive policies and programs needed to better utilize available truck parking and reduce the need to build additional facilities. The final plan serves as a toolbox of guidelines and implementation strategies that partner agencies can select from to address their region’s specific needs.
The I-15 MEP delivered through this grant is a great example of “Regional Models of Cooperation” serving as a best practice model for other multi-jurisdictional and/or multistate collaborations.
For more details visit the I-15 Freight Mobility Enhancement Plan project website.
