In October 2008, six states (Maryland New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia) executed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate studies and information about the I-81 Corridor for the purpose of establishing a seamless freight and passenger network. The I-81 is an important national artery for the movement of people and goods and has become a key component in the economic development and vitality of the Eastern States of the United States of America. Meeting the growing demand for freight movement along the corridor and maintaining the region¿s economic vitality will be challenging but is critical to all the states. All six signatory states have major statewide freight planning efforts either underway or complete. Some have constructed projects on Interstate 81 and others have projects programmed. The Signatory states are interested in having the individual states¿ studies and improvements compiled and to determine where further information is required to move toward a consolidated, multistate plan for the corridor.

Provide the basis for a multistate and multimodal coordinated plan for I-81 Review and integrate the current studies for highway and rail in the Corridor Review and coordinate the operating and capital plans for the corridor of each Signatory State Make recommendations regarding corridor-wide improvements Identify the public and private benefits of the improvements and costs

1. Develop an overview of freight data and studies addressing the I-81 Multimodal Corridor across the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. Tasks include the following: a. Develop basic overview thematic maps depicting freight flows, traffic volumes, and economic conditions from FAF-2, HPMS, and state traffic counts, and US Census Data; b. Work with each state to identify and obtain other datasets and studies addressing I-81 multimodal corridor issues, develop brief executive summaries of each, highlight similarities and differences, and where possible, synthesize into thematic maps; c. Identify and describe planning and funding initiatives (state, MPO, Federal, private) affecting the I-81 multimodal corridor; and d. Summarize key findings and identify actions that could be undertaken jointly by the I-81 states to address data gaps, respond to critical planning initiatives, and make best use of funding opportunities.

Suggested each partner state contribute according to the share of I-81 mileage in the state: TN: $3,567 VA: $15,458 WV: $1,237 MD: $571 PA: $10,464 NY: $8,704 Total: $ 40,000.00