The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is recommending that the U.S. Department of Transportation update Congress on the activities of its Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office), which USDOT was required to create to help improve freight mobility. No information has been shared on the Office’s activities since 2023, according to a GAO report released April 20 (download below), and having such “information is important as Congress considers how the Office could support federal surface transportation programs, and any potential legislation related to the upcoming reauthorization.”
The “efficient movement of freight across transportation modes is critical to the U.S. economy,” said the GAO, which noted that in 2024, 20 billion tons of freight “moved over a large, interconnected network of roads, rail, waterways, pipelines, and airways.”
The Multimodal Freight Office, GAO said, “is in a unique position to look across modes and identify opportunities to enhance federal support for freight transportation.”
GAO said it interviewed USDOT officials and analyzed internal USDOT documents to help produce its 30-page report, which examines the progress USDOT has made in meeting its statutory requirements related to the Multimodal Freight Office and how USDOT identified and managed any areas of duplication and improved efficiency for freight issues across the department when establishing the Multimodal Freight Office.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) required the USDOT to establish the Office, whose “responsibilities include coordinating with other agencies, states, and the private sector; assisting cities and states to improve freight mobility; and carrying out the goals of the national multimodal freight policy,” according to GAO.
“The IIJA directs the Multimodal Freight Office to administer certain policies and programs, such as developing and managing the National Freight Strategic Plan and the National Multimodal Freight Network, which connects highways, railroads, and maritime routes,” GAO said. “DOT has taken steps toward meeting almost all of its statutory requirements. For example, DOT plans to release an updated National Freight Strategic Plan in 2026 and is updating the National Multimodal Freight Network.”
However, GAO reported, the USDOT “has not completed one of the office’s statutory requirements—periodically reporting to Congress on the activities of the Multimodal Freight Office. Officials stated that the Office had not done so because it had limited staff and was focused on other activities. While the Office briefed congressional staff in 2023, without periodic reporting, Congress has limited visibility into the activities the Office has conducted since then. Having recent information is important as Congress considers how the Office could support federal surface transportation programs, and any potential legislation related to the upcoming reauthorization.”
GAO’s one recommendation for USDOT: Report to Congress with updates on the activities of the Multimodal Freight Office since September 2023, “including updates of descriptions of the programs and activities administered or overseen by the Office, such as freight-related grants, and current and future staffing levels.” According to GAO, USDOT has agreed with the recommendation.
GAO noted that it is sending copies of its report to the appropriate congressional committees, the Secretary of Transportation, and other interested parties.
Further Reading:
The post GAO to USDOT: Report to Congress on Multimodal Freight Office Progress appeared first on Railway Age.