River

The Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky  is the #1 inland marine port in the United States with more than 43 million tons of domestic cargo transported each year. This is equivalent to nearly two-million truck loads!
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Roads

For over the past half century, the OKI Region has been shaped by the I-75/71 corridor. Today, 60% of the region’s population and 75% of our jobs are located wihtin five miles of the corridor.
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Runways

In 2020, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) became the 7th largest cargo airport in North America. This ranking is due to CVG’s role as home to Amazon Air Hub and DHL Express Global Superhub, in addition to serving 7 other air cargo carriers.

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Rail

Railroads carry over 18 million tons annually in, out and through the OKI Region. Rail volume is forecasted to increase 38% by 2040. In the most recently published data (2016), Chicago and Cleveland continue to be the largest sources of rail freight terminating in Cincinnati while Detroit serves as the biggest market for rail shipments originating from the OKI region.
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Freight Can’t Wait

Since 2007, OKI staff and members have been actively engaged in freight transportation planning due to its critical impact on the region’s socio-economic well-being. The efficient flow of goods, employees and customers ensures a healthy and robust regional economy. OKI is the leader for the tristate region in terms of freight transportation planning for all modes. OKI’s freight focus is on the application of new, emerging technologies, enhancements in the collection and application of freight data, and public/private partnerships at the local, state, national and global level to enhance opportunities for socio-economic growth.

OKI Staff Contact for Freight:
Robyn Bancroft
Strategic Initiatives Manager
rbancroft@oki.org
513-619-7662
OKI, recognizing the link between freight mobility and economic development, adopted the Regional Freight Plan in August 2011 to better understand industry trends, forecast freight demand, and identify projects that maintain freight mobility and spur business growth. Learn More

 

River Freight

Explore infrastructure along the Ohio and Licking rivers via this interactive map.
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Rail Freight

Explore train count data in the OKI Region via this interactive map.
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Truck Freight

Truck parking is a critical issue in the OKI Region. See below links to two Smart Phone apps that are available to provide truck stops, available parking nearby, weigh stations status, fuel prices and other information.
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Truck parking is a critical issue in the OKI Region. See below links to two Smart Phone apps that are available to provide truck stops, available parking nearby, weigh stations status, fuel prices and other information
OKI has been a member of the Tri-State Logistics Council since its inception in 2015 to promote jobs, economic development, investment, and educational opportunities with logistic companies, employees and fellow government and economic development organizations. http://www.tristatelogisticscouncil.com/

State Freight Plans

To receive funding under the National Highway Freight Program (23 U.S.C. 167), the FAST Act requires each State to develop a State freight plan, which must comprehensively address the State’s freight planning activities and investments (both immediate and long-range). The State must update its freight plan at least every five years, and may update its freight investment plan more frequently than the overall freight plan. [49 U.S.C. 70202(e)]. A State may develop its freight plan either separately from, or incorporated within, its statewide strategic long-range transportation plan required by 23 U.S.C. 135. Among other requirements, a State freight plan must—

  • cover a five-year forecast period;
  • be fiscally constrained;
  • include a “freight investment plan” with a list of priority projects; and
  • describe how the State will invest and match its National Highway Freight Program funds.

Ohio Freight Plan

COMPLETE, FEDERAL APPROVAL RECEIVED
Download

Kentucky Freight Plan

AWAITING PUBLIC REVIEW
Download

Indiana Freight Plan

AN UPDATED FAST ACT-COMPLIANT PLAN IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Download

Businesses and industries are dependent on an efficient, reliable, interconnected and safe freight transportation system.

OKI’s central location and extensive transportation network continue to make the region a top choice for manufacturing plants, distribution centers and warehouses.

Continued growth in freight across all modes will place significant demand on the region’s transportation networks. This will require OKI’s continued attention to system preservation and maintenance, public/private partnerships, and the integration of innovative design and technologies to optimize existing operations.

Trucking in the OKI Region is forecast to increase about 63% by 2040. Most of the commodity gains are projected to be increasing volumes of secondary traffic (movements between warehouse and/or retail locations), nonmetallic minerals, and farm products.
The OKI Region’s freight exports exceed $52 billion a year and continue to grow. The largest amount of outbound freight is destined for neighboring Midwest states and global markets via the nation’s east, west and Gulf ports.
The Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is the largest inland maritime system in the United States. Shipping on the Ohio River provides an average transportation savings of $10.67 per ton over the cost of shipping by alternative modes.
Combined, the OKI Region’s three intermodal rail yards operate over 185,000 annual lifts of containers.
I-71 and I-75 serve as a backbone connecting the OKI region to the largest cities of Ohio (Columbus and Cleveland), Kentucky (Louisville and Lexington) and Indiana (Indianapolis). 
Combined, the OKI Region’s three intermodal rail yards operate over 185,000 container lifts per year.

Ten of the top 27 key elements influencing business site location decisions are related to transportation:

*Source: Area Development, Corporate Executive Survey, 2015 

1. Availability of Skilled Labor
2. Highway Accessibility
3. Proximity to Major Markets
4. Inbound/Outbound Shipping Costs
5. Proximity (accessibility) to Suppliers
6. Accessibility to Major Airport
7. Raw Materials Availability
8. Availability of Unskilled Labor
9. Railroad Service
10. Waterway or Ocean Port Accessibility