The Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Freight Study – our three-county region (Brooke-Hancock Cos., WV; Jefferson Co., OH) is facing game-changing challenges that will influence how future transportation investments. Over the years, our local governments have experienced steep declines in tax revenues due to the waning steel industry, traditional transportation dollars are inadequate to address highway capital and maintenance needs, and ever-present environmental and energy regulations continue to tighten. These factors though, present the greater Steubenville-Weirton area with an opportunity to “plan for the future” and promote alternative, affordable, and environmentally efficient transportation options to identify and attract economic opportunities that will advance the future growth of our region.

The BHJ Freight Study concluded Wednesday January 26 during a joint meeting of the BHJ Transportation Study Policy Committee and Technical Advisory committee. In a presentation by Barbara Sloan of Cambridge Systematics, the report in summary suggests that despite significant a population loss over the last 40 years because of sharp declines in the area’s steel manufacturing facilities, the BHJ region can still capitalize on significant transportation assets available for future economic growth. In the presentation, Ms. Sloan shared five recommendations selected by the Steering Committee as “high-priority” projects.

1. Identify investment options that encourage expanded use of rail mode.

2. Explore opportunities to enhance connectivity between rail/water and highway/water modes.

3. Develop a regional marketing strategy to promote the region’s freight-related assets to potential freight-dependent industries.

4. Identify innovative strategies to better match new and available funds with freight system needs.

5. Establish a governance structure, such as Bi-State Port Authority, to identify issues, guide investments and advocate on behalf of the region through public outreach and education, promoting the BHJ region’s economy and protecting the public interest.

Keep the momentum going‼ The report suggests continuing the BHJ Freight Steering Committee as a self-sustaining group, with regularly scheduled meetings. The committee can monitor progress on implementing the study’s recommendations and reassess the region’s freight related goals on a regular basis. Finally, the committee freight stakeholders can use the past as an opportunity to shape the future.

The final Policy Committee Presentation is available by a click here.

The complete report is available by selecting from each of the links below:

   The first or two reports Technical Memorandum #1 - Inventory and Profile viewable in PDF format, click   here. (Due to the large file size (4.84 MB), it may take up to one minute to view.)

   The second and final report Technical Memorandum #2 - Issues, Opportunities, Recommendations, and Strategies outlining the study findings and recommendations; viewable in PDF format, by a click here. (The file size is 1.64 MB and may take several seconds to view.)

An Executive Summary Report is available in PDF format by a click here.