Intermodal freight

new icon2025 Intermodal Freight Report Update

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WisDOT) report Intermodal Freight in Wisconsin - 2025 Update serves as an update to the 2019 Overview of Intermodal Freight in Wisconsin.

The new report includes data and operational updates that have occurred since the 2019 report, leverages two regional studies that have been published since then, and supports the policies found in WisDOT's 2023 State Freight Plan. This report, in combination with the data compiled in recent regional reports, offers important insights into the b​asic factors or tenets of intermodal that must be considered holistically to create a solid foundation in support of intermodal success.

2019 Intermodal Freight Report

In late 2017, WisDOT created the Intermodal Subcommittee under the umbrella of the greater Freight Advisory Committee (FAC), as allowed by the FAC Charter. The Subcommittee consisted of public and private sector representatives, and was co-chaired by WisDOT and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. WisDOT’s goal was to identify current and future opportunities and challenges to connect Wisconsin industries to world markets through the increased efficiency of containerized shipping.

Throughout 2018, the Subcommittee met monthly from March through October to develop a survey for businesses, develop the report outline, decide what data to be used within the report, draft the narrative, and review the report's final draft.​

​In March 2019, WisDOT released a report entitled Overview of Intermodal Freight in Wisconsin, which codifies the subcommittee's findings. An Executive Summary is available.

In November 2019, WisDOT partnered with regional economic development agencies and other organizations to hold two Interm​odal Freight Summits to further the goals of the 2019 report. These Freight Summits helped connect importers and exporters with professionals from the transportation and logistics communities to explore expanded opportunities for intermodal service in Wisconsin. The first summit was organized by the World Trade Association of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. The second summit was organized by The New North, Inc.

Contact

Sarah Simonson
Freight Program Officer
sarah.simonson@dot.wi.gov
(608) 267-4452

Note: If you arrived on this page looking for information about the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, go to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station webpage.