CANAMEX Corridor: A Catalyst for Economic Growth and Security
by Michael Strickland
Pocatello is part of one of the most important infrastructure developments of this century, a building block to western prosperity. A successful economy requires fast, flexible, and efficient transportation services. We must support expanding industries and to attract new business. The CANAMEX Trade Corridor, which was established in 1995, has become the foundation for the smooth and effective transportation of goods, services, people, and information between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The route for this system starts in Mexico and moves north through Tucson and Phoenix and towards Vegas. At Las Vegas it piggy-backs the I-15 through Pocatello, to Canada. Due to the current heavy commerce traveling I-15 they created Interstate 11 to parallel the I-15. I-11’s projected path has it going through Nevada, Eastern Oregon and Washington, and through the panhandle of Idaho to Canada. The U.S. Department of Commerce anticipates tremendous growth for this area.
The CANAMEX Corridor runs through the fastest growing region in the country, and includes four of the five fastest growing states. More than 65 percent of the freight moving in the corridor originated outside of the region. Travel in the corridor has increased 130 percent since 1970. It includes some of the most visited sites in America, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, and Hoover Dam. While large portions It also runs directly through the urban arm of Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
In 1999, the Governors of Montana. Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona created the CANAMEX Corridor Coalition (CCC) to spur economic development along the corridor, Following the development of a corridor plan in 2001, the CCC retained the Western Transportation Institute of Montana State University Bozeman in 2002 to develop the CANAMEX Smart Tourist Corridor Initiative. They surveyed the needs of the CANAMEX states tourism industry, analyzed each state’s Intelligent Transportation System assets and plans, and researched communications technologies and information collection and dissemination systems. The corridor promotes economic growth in the region: By making it easier to move goods and people, the corridor encourages businesses to invest in the region and create jobs. It also is a critical part of the North American security infrastructure. By providing a secure route, the corridor helps to protect the United States, Canada, and Mexico from terrorism and other threats. The system makes it easier for businesses to trade with each other.
The CANAMEX Trade Corridor was established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and is currently defined by a series of highways. It is also proposed to be used by railroads and fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure.
The list of benefits from this massive project is long. Here are some of the highlights:
Reduced transportation costs: It is a more efficient route for transporting goods than other routes, which can lead to reduced transportation costs. This direct route for the movement of goods and people between Canada, Mexico, and the United States is important for businesses that operate in these countries. It allows them to ship goods more efficiently and reduce transportation costs.
Increased safety and security: The CANAMEX corridor is a secure route for transporting goods and people, which can help to protect the United States, Canada, and Mexico from terrorism and other threats. CANAMEX is the safest, most secure and most efficient corridor for travelers within and through the region. It is supported by the Federal Highway Administration. Security has increased in importance for all stakeholders in the post-9/11 environment. Efficiency of the transportation system is also essential for the region’s continued economic competitiveness.
Increased connectivity: The project connects the three North American countries, which can help to increase trade and economic growth.
Increase tourism: Spending and length of stays will go up due to an enhanced tourist experience. This economic development is a shared challenge among the CANAMEX states.
For most rural areas, tourism supports local businesses, generates revenues and provides local employers. The Corridor has great potential for promoting tourism development through public/private partnerships by extending visits one more day.
Safe and efficient multi-modal transportation networks: Enhanced Global Competitiveness which requires quality education, accessible telecommunications infrastructure and an appropriate regulatory environment. Shared commitment to the region’s quality of life.
Improved communications: The technological improvements will facilitate the dissemination of tourism and safety information to travelers, such as completing cellular coverage in the Corridor.
Public-private partnerships that expand the ability of tourists and other travelers to use smart devices such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants, and navigation throughout the Corridor.
Operations Improvements: A broad range of activities will foster better coordination and cooperation among emergency response agencies throughout the corridor, as well as increased safety and improved emergency response These initiatives provide a powerful opportunity to integrate the informational databases of tourism and transportation agencies in other words, combine the tourism inventory of venues and attractions with transportation’s real-time travel advisories to improve the visitor experience and thereby increase tourist activity.
Travel updates: Survey data collected through this project show that the number one need of travelers is Information what are the traffic and weather conditions on the road, and what can we do and where can we stay along the way? The project will use a combination of emerging technologies and interstate interagency coordination to provide seamless safety and tourism information to corridor travelers.
A multi-portal website: This will create a safety and tourism data gathering sharing system that will form the heart of the Smart Tourist Corridor concept. This element will make it possible for all participating agencies to receive relevant, real time information and alerts, and will allow for the creation of the CANAMEX Gateway website, which will provide Corridor wide information to travelers.
The CANAMEX Corridor continues to broaden its initiatives, harvesting the benefits of increased trade, tourism and economic activity within the region. The project provides many opportunities to build regional economic prosperity through innovation. While this major infrastructure creation is still under development, it has already had a significant impact on the North American economy and security. As the corridor continues to be built, it is likely to have an even greater impact in the years to come.
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