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.