Having a University Transportation Center in Memphis is a natural. Memphis, known as “North America’s Distribution Center”, is a focal point for intermodal transportation. Strategically positioned with five Class 1 railroads, crossed by several Interstate highways, and home to the country's largest air cargo airport and the nation’s fourth busiest inland waterway port, it is a major intermodal hub. The two major western railroads, BNSF and Union Pacific have their eastern terminals in the Memphis region where they interface with the Norfolk Southern, CSX and Canadian National railroads. The Union Pacific has a major intermodal terminal in eastern Arkansas and both the BNSF and the Canadian National have major intermodal terminal expansions underway in Memphis. I-55 and I-40 cross at Memphis. Both carry substantial truck volumes, servicing the entire region as well as the nation as a whole. The I-69 NAFTA corridor, connecting Canada and Mexico, will pass through the region and become an important transportation asset. Plans are also underway to upgrade other major arterials (US 78 and US 61) connecting Memphis to the region.

The world headquarters of Federal Express is located in Memphis, and its presence has spawned a vibrant warehousing-distribution industry. Global companies such as Nike and Williams-Sonoma as well as bio-medical firms like Medtronic and Wright Medical have established major facilities in Memphis. This led to Memphis International Airport processing more cargo by US Customs than any other airport in the country.

Located to the west in neighboring Arkansas is a significant collection of trucking firms and the headquarters of Wal-Mart, a leader in logistics and supply chain management innovation. With Memphis closer to more major markets overnight by truck than any other city in America, it is no wonder that 400 trucking companies call Memphis home.

To the east, I-24, I-65, I-75 and I-81 carry large volumes of truck traffic within and through the State of Tennessee and the eastern United States. Nissan and Saturn operate major assembly plants, and Nissan recently moved its North American headquarters to the Nashville area. Major north-south routes served by CSX and Norfolk Southern have national importance, and Tennessee has an extensive network of short line railroads. The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers link Tennessee and adjacent states with the inland waterway system.

For more information on why Memphis is considered North America’s Distribution Center, please visit www.MemphisDelivers.com.