IPH Phase 2 Summary

	PHASE 2 Summary The overall objective of the Phase 2 Transportation Investment and Project Priority Blueprint initiative is to identify and recommend actions, strategies and programs that can be implemented to strengthen the competitive position of the IPH region (both domestically and globally). The primary approach will be to facilitate faster, more efficient and lower cost transportation of freight, goods, services and broadband information into, out of and throughout the region. Special emphasis will be given to intermodal domestic and international transportation, with a focus on efficient connections to rail, trucking, air cargo and waterborne (barge) cargo. Three specific objectives are: ● Transportation infrastructure improvements will be identified to enhance development of the IPH. This includes projects that will complement the expansion of existing intermodal terminals, such as Spokane Industrial Park, the Spokane BNSF Intermodal Facility, the inland water ports, Spokane International Airport, and Coeur d’Alene Airport as well as the potential establishment of a new inland hub development district. It also includes projects that will improve truck access to the areas in the vicinity of these intermodal facilities as well as improvements to roads and other transportation facilities in the combined Spokane and Kootenai County metropolitan areas. ● Identify freight transportation improvements and incentives that can attract and consolidate larger volumes of freight and ensure better service. This includes identifying new types of rail service strategies, providing better service opportunities between the IPH and rail and air gateways (such as Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle, Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Calgary and Edmonton), encouraging regional shippers to "pool" or gather some of their shipments (especially backhauls) and thereby encourage more frequent and efficient service. It also includes recommending improvements to freight handling services, such as additional customs clearance efficiencies, that can expedite receiving and shipping goods internationally. ● Define economic benefits that will result from the IPH development strategies. These include new job opportunities for people living in the IPH area, jobs that can be generated in transportation and distribution services, as well as in the attraction of new businesses which benefit from better transportation services. Desired Outcomes: ● The generation of a set of proposals and a series of recommended strategies that can be employed to enhance and expand the IPH region’s international and domestic trade opportunities and further promote the economic development of the region. Answer the questions: What transportation investments will have the greatest economic impact on the region? Are there elements of an inland port/trade gateway that would help stimulate economic growth? What are the associated risk(s) with implementing these potential investments? What corridors need to be developed or enhanced to spur freight fluidity throughout the region? Based on current economic strengths, what will the selected commerce sectors of growth need from a transportation infrastructure to thrive? What projects are critical to complete in the next 10, 15, 20 years for the region to be competitive globally? What will the proposed transportation enhancements and investments cost to construct, operate, and maintain? How do existing economic-related transportation plans align with the findings? ● Development of benchmarks that will be used as indicators for annual evaluation. Project Audience: ● Engage stakeholder groups early enough in the process to have a meaningful and constructive involvement in the process and provide the catalyst for greater participation. ● Ensure efforts are made to be as inclusive as possible with the general public in order to gain participation, ownership, and support by the region. Click here to view the Phase 2 Scope of Work.
© 2009 Inland Pacific Hub, Spokane, WA

PHASE 2 Summary

The overall objective of the Phase 2 Transportation Investment and Project Priority Blueprint initiative is to identify and recommend actions, strategies and programs that can be implemented to strengthen the competitive position of the IPH region (both domestically and globally). The primary approach will be to facilitate faster, more efficient and lower cost transportation of freight, goods, services and broadband information into, out of and throughout the region. Special emphasis will be given to intermodal domestic and international transportation, with a focus on efficient connections to rail, trucking, air cargo and waterborne (barge) cargo.

Three specific objectives are:
● Transportation infrastructure improvements will be identified to enhance development of the IPH. This includes projects that will complement the expansion of existing intermodal terminals, such as Spokane Industrial Park, the Spokane BNSF Intermodal Facility, the inland water ports, Spokane International Airport, and Coeur d’Alene Airport as well as the potential establishment of a new inland hub development district. It also includes projects that will improve truck access to the areas in the vicinity of these intermodal facilities as well as improvements to roads and other transportation facilities in the combined Spokane and Kootenai County metropolitan areas.

● Identify freight transportation improvements and incentives that can attract and consolidate larger volumes of freight and ensure better service. This includes identifying new types of rail service strategies, providing better service opportunities between the IPH and rail and air gateways (such as Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle, Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Calgary and Edmonton), encouraging regional shippers to "pool" or gather some of their shipments (especially backhauls) and thereby encourage more frequent and efficient service. It also includes recommending improvements to freight handling services, such as additional customs clearance efficiencies, that can expedite receiving and shipping goods internationally.

● Define economic benefits that will result from the IPH development strategies. These include new job opportunities for people living in the IPH area, jobs that can be generated in transportation and distribution services, as well as in the attraction of new businesses which benefit from better transportation services.

Desired Outcomes:
● The generation of a set of proposals and a series of recommended strategies that can be employed to enhance and expand the IPH region’s international and domestic trade opportunities and further promote the economic development of the region.

Answer the questions:

What transportation investments will have the greatest economic impact on the region?
Are there elements of an inland port/trade gateway that would help stimulate economic growth?
What are the associated risk(s) with implementing these potential investments?
What corridors need to be developed or enhanced to spur freight fluidity throughout the region?
Based on current economic strengths, what will the selected commerce sectors of growth need from a transportation infrastructure to thrive?
What projects are critical to complete in the next 10, 15, 20 years for the region to be competitive globally?
What will the proposed transportation enhancements and investments cost to construct, operate, and maintain?
How do existing economic-related transportation plans align with the findings?

● Development of benchmarks that will be used as indicators for annual evaluation.

Project Audience:
● Engage stakeholder groups early enough in the process to have a meaningful and constructive involvement in the process and provide the catalyst for greater participation.
● Ensure efforts are made to be as inclusive as possible with the general public in order to gain participation, ownership, and support by the region.

Click here to view the Phase 2 Scope of Work.