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Freight & Logistics Planning Program

Image of Port MiamiMiami-Dade County has an economy dominated by tourism, international trade, agriculture and mining, and natural resources. Freight is a key aspect of the work performed by the TPO because it is the essential component to move goods from the producer to the distributor and then to retail centers and consumers. The county’s freight infrastructure includes Miami International Airport, PortMiami, and the Miami River.

PortMiami is one of the largest container ports in Florida and is known as the “cruise capital of world,” with over 7 million passengers annually. Miami International Airport (MIA) is the #1 ranked airport in the USA for international cargo and leads all US airports in perishable cargo with 68% of the market and is the first IATA designated Pharma Hub in the US and the second in the world after Brussels.

The Miami River provides key niche waterborne cargo services to smaller ports in the Caribbean Basin and supports an active industrial core along the river corridor. Two railroads (CSX and Florida East Coast) serve the region connecting South Florida to the rest of North America, providing intermodal and carload services. A well-established network of roadways also provides regional mobility as well as gateways to Florida and more distant hinterland markets. These transportation facilities complement a mature warehouse/distribution center and international banking and brokerage infrastructure that combined, facilitate international trade activities.

Miami-Dade County is home to a well-established and expanding freight transportation system. This system serves as the cornerstone of the region’s economy, providing goods and services to Florida’s largest consumption market as well as connecting the region to the global economy through major sea and air gateways, taking into account emerging and future technologies.  The Freight Plan was recently updated in June 2018.

The Freight Mobility and Trade Plan (FMTP) developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is a statewide comprehensive plan that identifies freight transportation facilities critical to the state’s economic growth and guides multimodal freight investments in the state. The FMTP update will drive innovation in order to provide a safe, efficient, and resilient transportation system that enhances Florida’s economy and communities while preserving the quality of our environment.