Leveraging data for smarter planning
Teams leveraged multiple data sources to develop a comprehensive plan that told the complete story of freight in the county.
Practices
Markets
Optimizing freight growth and community well-being
Illinois’ Will County manages over 3 million containers each year, making it North America’s largest inland port. Seeking to fix its strained infrastructure and resources, Will County developed a comprehensive freight mobility plan that maintains efficiency while protecting residents’ well-being.
Engaging stakeholders effectively
Public meetings and interviews with residents, freight operators, and agencies ensured a truly community-driven process.
Optimizing infrastructure investments
A GIS-based evaluation tool identified critical improvement areas to boost safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness.
Strengthening both workforce and land use
The plan maximized land use efficiency by pinpointing protective agricultural zones and clusters for freight development.
Will County now has a strategic framework to guide freight investments, workforce development, and land-use decisions. “Freight is an economic engine for Will County, so it was important to improve the system without impacting residents’ quality of life,” said lead planner Jacki Murdock. The plan ensures the county continues to grow as a freight hub while preserving community health and sustainability.
A new way of freight planning
Our team identified key freight projects to improve mobility in Will County while protecting natural resources and enhancing residents’ quality of life.