RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

 

Friday, April 23, 1999, Capital District Transportation Committee office,

Attendance: Katherine Forster, CDTC; Ted Thompson, NYSDOT – Region 1; John Newman, KONSKI; Larry Arnold, UPS; Michael Franchini, Albany County; Art Dutcher, Saratoga Transport; Frank J. Commisso, Port of Albany; Chungchin Chen, CDRPC; Dan Joyce, Thruway Authority

 

Regrets: Jack Earl

 

Member Updates/Current Events

CDTC – The I-87 Corridor committee will meet in May in Glens Falls to include those further north who are interested in the corridor initiative.  Ted Dahlburg who works with the Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force has created a mailing list for M.P.O. Freight Task Forces to keep abreast of what others are working on.  CDTC is on the list.

 

DOT – NYSDOT is the lead agency for the $14 M double tracking project for Amtrak's high speed rail.  DOT has begun discussions with Amtrak to scope the project.  DOT is also considering an Origin and Destination study for the Saratoga truck by-pass project.

 

KONSKI  –  A luncheon for retired Congressman Solomon was held.  It was well attended with approximately a hundred people there including Congressman Sweeney.  Steve Fisk was the Master of Ceremonies.

 

UPS – The company is helping NYSMTA with the Saratoga truck by-pass study.  The Saratoga community wants to focus on a permanent solution not another temporary one.  UPS is also involved in the Clean Cities green corridors initiative.  The company will be a signatory.

 

Albany County –  The draft environmental impact statement for  the Albany-Shaker road project will be released to the public in a few weeks.  There will be a public hearing in June.  Met with DOT regarding an excelerated schedule.

 

Thruway – The interest in the safety video is great.  They have sold a thousand videos and have ordered another thousand.

 

Saratoga Transport – Paper goods for the transport company are moved by rail.  Saratoga Transport uses approximately 2-3000 cars a year.

 

CDRPC – A foreign trade zone has been activated at the port.  (Duty is deferred until the finished product has been made).  CDRPC has completed a landuse study for the Capital District (1986-1997).  Photo satellite images were used to compare changes in landuse.  "A regional perspective on county's success" Times Union article (4-22-99) was distributed.

 

Port of Albany  – The Port is working on starting a weekly feeder service of containers from New York City to Albany by barge.  They are also in negotiations with Chile in regards to imports of wood pulp and cocoa beans.

 

Airport – (report from DOT) New control tower was opened.  The airport is commencing a study for extending two of its runways (north and east).

 

Conrail Acquisition – Norfolk Southern and CSX announced that they would close the Conrail transaction on June 1, 1999. 

 

Tandem Lot Relocation Study – Sending out tandem lot report to local municipalities and community associations and other interested parties (economic development corporations, etc.) for comments.  The required legislation to allow tandems on the I-787 (to access port) has been passed at the state level.  The Federal Highway has not yet approved it.

 

TIP Update – The TIP was sent out for public comment.  It can be viewed at public libraries.  After the close of public review, it will be finalized at planning & policy committee meetings in June.

 

Roundtable – Following conversations with Harry Caldwell, staff recommends that the spring roundtable be postponed to the fall, and a larger symposium series be organized.  The freight task force was favorable to this idea.  The series could take place in two or three different locations (perhaps even including Plattsburgh?) and focus on local events as well as the global trends of intermodal goods movement.  Task Force felt that local issues must be presented.  A steering committee for the symposium will be set up.

 

Thruway/NYSMTA Video - Safe Driving is no Accident.  The safety video showed the importance of a truck inspection routine and ensuring that drivers are not sleep deprived among other things.  Both NYSMTA and the Thruway Authority are very pleased with the result - it is a very informative and well-produced video.

 

ACTION ITEMS

-        CDTC staff will continue preparations for the symposium event.

-        The Port of Albany and the Thruway Authority will help staff organize the next Freight Task Force meeting.

-        CDTC staff will continue to monitor the Conrail merger.

-        NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING: Friday, July 23, 1:30-3:30 pm at the Thruway Authority.  The agenda will include: Member Updates, Roundtable, Tandem Lot and Conrail.