Regional Freight Transportation Plan Update
Goods movement is the backbone of our economy, and the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) is making sure the region is ready for what’s next.
Share Your Input →Why This Plan Matters
CMCOG and the Columbia Area Transportation Study (COATS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are updating the 2017 Regional Freight Mobility Plan, a forward-looking effort to assess how trucks, rail, air cargo, and last-mile logistics move through our region today, and what investments will keep our economy competitive tomorrow.
From distribution centers and manufacturers to everyday deliveries, freight touches nearly every aspect of life in the Central Midlands. This plan will identify bottlenecks and safety challenges on key freight corridors, document infrastructure gaps, and develop a prioritized strategy for investments that support economic growth while protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
The last Regional Freight Transportation Plan was completed in November 2016. Since then, the region has experienced tremendous growth, new intermodal facilities have come online, and major freight corridors are under construction or in planning. This update will look ahead to the year 2050.
The Study Area
The plan covers the four-county Central Midlands region, with coordination on freight movements connecting to the Ports of Charleston and Savannah, and to neighboring counties across South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.
What We’re Studying
The plan takes a comprehensive, multimodal look at how goods move today and through 2050.
Trucking & Highways
Truck volumes, congestion hot spots, safety, parking, and corridor performance on the National Highway System and statewide freight routes.
Rail
Train volumes, routes, at-grade crossings, and the safety and operational issues that affect both freight movement and surrounding communities.
Air Cargo
Cargo activity at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and how it connects to regional supply chains and economic development.
Intermodal
Standardized containers moving goods across truck, rail, port, and air – one shipment, multiple modes, zero re-handling.
Last-Mile & Logistics
Distribution centers, warehousing, first/last-mile connections, and how local land use and roadway design affect goods delivery.
Land Use & Economy
How freight intersects with land use planning, economic development, and neighborhood quality of life.
Resiliency & the Future
Port disruptions, severe weather, alternative truck fuels (electric, hydrogen), and the impact of automated vehicles on freight.
How We’re Engaging
This is not a plan built behind closed doors. Various outreach strategies will be deployed to capture feedback from key freight stakeholders and members of the public. Engagement will be coordinated with the Elevate 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan so your time and input go further.
Freight Advisory Committee (FAC)
A focused working group of trucking and logistics providers, rail operators, airport cargo, manufacturers, utilities, economic development partners, and local government staff. The FAC meets at three key milestones during the planning process.
Targeted Stakeholder Interviews
One-on-one conversations with major shippers, distribution operators, manufacturers, rail and airport cargo leadership, and enforcement agencies to capture operational realities that broader outreach can’t reach.
Public Meetings & Pop-Up Events
Community members can weigh in at public meetings and pop-up events throughout 2026 — integrated with Elevate 2050 outreach to reduce duplication and reach more residents.
Freight Plan Survey
The project’s public survey will be used in order to gather input from the community to help shape the future of goods movement in our region. Take the survey.
Truck Parking Survey
As part of broader statewide freight planning efforts, a truck parking inventory is under development. A map to leave your comments is available at this link. Note that since this is a statewide effort, additional sites outside the CMCOG region are also shown.
Tell Us How Freight Affects You
Whether you’re a freight operator, a business owner, a commuter, or a neighbor on a busy corridor — your input helps shape the future of goods movement in the Central Midlands. The survey takes about 5–10 minutes.
Take the Survey Survey open until July 31, 2026Stay Connected
Have a stake in how freight moves through our region? Follow updates through CMCOG and Elevate 2050 channels, and watch for upcoming engagement events near you.
Central Midlands Council of Governments · Columbia Area Transportation Study (COATS) MPO