Transportation

The American Public Transportation Association states that “America’s highways, roads and public transportation systems contribute to virtually everything of value in our economy and lives – from linking businesses to their suppliers and customers, to bringing jobs, education, health care, recreation and government services within every American’s reach.”

Investments in an area’s transportation infrastructure can produce long-term benefits for a community and increase its public image. The funds used to build, maintain and operate a region’s highways, roads and public bus and train systems are critical investments needed to raise a community’s standard of living and improve the quality of life for its residents.

Research on the economic impact of public investment in transportation has consistently found that surface transportation systems increase economic output, reduce prices and raise incomes and profits. Efficient roads and transit systems lower a firm’s transportation costs, raising its productivity and the return on its private investment, which further increases investment, productivity and incomes.

The Bloomington-Normal area has an excellent transportation infrastructure in place, which offers intercity and intracity bus service, access to three interstates and several federal and state highways, passenger and freight rail service and a regional airport. The following pages provide information about transportation in McLean County and Bloomington-Normal.