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Freight & Logistics Planning Program

Image of Port MiamiMiami-Dade County has an economy dominated by tourism, international trade, agriculture, 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 (MIA), 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. MIA is the #1 ranked airport in the US for international cargo and leads all US airports in perishable cargo with 68% of the market and is the first International Air Transport Association (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 TPO updates the Miami-Dade County Freight Plan on a regular basis in alignment with the TPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update. In addition to developing a list of projects for funding consideration within the LRTP, this report highlights the importance of freight mobility in Miami-Dade County and documents how the county’s freight industry has evolved over time.

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.