RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

Monday, January 25, 1999, Albany County Airport, New Control Tower

Attendance: Katherine Forster, CDTC; Kristina Yonger, CDTA; Dick Corp, Thruway Authority; Larry Arnold, UPS; Stephen Iachetta, ACAA; Gerald Duluca, NYSMTA; Ted Thompson, NYSDOT – Region 1; Chungchin Chen, CDRPC; Roger Bergeron, GTI

Regrets: Jack Earl and John Newman

Member Updates/Current Events

CDTC - National Corridor/Borders program application was sent. The letter was submitted too late to have the I-87/Tandem Lot project included on the State DOT’s project list. The Tandem Lot Study working group is meeting regularly. The Freight Task Force feels that the first step should be to get the corridor recognized as a national corridor and they urge CDTC to do so. CDTC gave out handout regarding an MPO’s role in promoting intermodalism.

Thruway – A safety video targeted at commercial truck drivers was produced in partnership with NYS Motor Truck Association. The Trucking Assoc. has already begun to advertise the availability of the video and one complimentary video is going to each trucking fleet. In regards to the “Build New York Now” program, the short list of “shovel ready” sites has been announced: there are two adjacent to the Thruway – one in New Baltimore (MP127) & one in western New York.

UPS – They are very pleased with the new cargo facility. Their peak day (in December) was six 727 airplanes (Normal peak day is two airplanes). They also have a full-page ad in USA Today featuring 25,000 UPS drivers and their impressive safety records.

Airport – The new air cargo facility has 3 tenants. Cessnas are being used as small cargo feeders into Albany. Phase 2 of the expansion is now commencing – which could double the cargo facility size. They closed on the property acquisition to have Sicker Rd E. tied into NY 7. There has been 12% cargo growth and 8% passenger growth this year.

NYSTA – Main activities right now include lobbying to repeal mile tax and involvement in the Saratoga By-pass Study. The mile tax has a large impact on trucking and shippers and if repealed would enhance competitiveness. The Saratoga study will identify a new truck route to by-pass the city. Edwards and Kelsey have been hired as the consultant.

DOT – DOT has been asked to do a traffic study at Rotterdam Industrial Park to see if the level of service on NY 7 will be affected by the increased truck traffic from a new tenant at the park. The Schenectady rail station planning meetings are progressing. Three conceptual designs of the station were presented showing how city and intercity buses would be integrated.

Guilford – The Hoosak tunnel clearance project is almost completed. It will be opening in February. Clearance will be 19’6” with safety valve allowing clearance up to 20 feet.

Conrail Acquisition – CP was granted overland haulage rights between Albany and New York City, one access route at Albany and access to all shippers in the Bronx and Queens. Trackage rights fees and switching fees have been established but are to be monitored and re-evaluated if need be.

Tandem Lot Relocation Study– The study narrowed down the alternatives to five locations (or combined locations). The two preferred sites are: 1) Exit 24 & the Port and 2) Mile Post 143 (noise is a concern with MP 143 because of proximity to a residential area). Comments from the working group are expected soon. There is a question from the working group as to whether the proposed tunnel for MP 143 would work. The final report will be sent out to the municipalities and other organizations for comments.

TIP Update – The 4 major TIP projects that would be of interest to the Task Force are:

- Slingerlands Bypass (including widening Route 85 corridor),

- Balltown Road (reconstruction of Rexford Bridge is within 5 years, widening of Balltown Road is outside),

- Glenridge Road (two railroad bridge option was chosen – projects limits exclude NY 50 to Maple Ave.) and

- Route 50 corridor improvements from Freeman’s Bridge Rd to Glenridge Rd.

Many I-87 improvements are also in the TIP including bridges, exits, resurfacing, etc. This leaves approximately $10 million for new projects. $3M will be for CMAQ (ITS) projects, $5M will be for local projects and $2M will be left for cost changes.

Access to Jobs Program - CDTA is working with the counties of Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer to apply jointly for state and federal funds (for two-year operation) to be able to better serve their TANF population’s transportation needs. While the majority of the targeted people and jobs are on the busline, extra service is needed in terms of time span and connectivity. Improved connections to the shuttle buses and extending bus route hours (early morning, and late evening) are important keys to the proposals. Suburban shuttle services have been successful and more importantly have also been perceived as being successful. Saratoga has not shown interest in this program.

Roundtable - The Roundtable will be held in late May or early June depending on the availability of the keynote speaker (Harry Caldwell of the National Corridors program was suggested). The two panels would focus on the tandem lot study and intermodalism. The Task Force was agreeable to use the prior format, times, and location. SUNY was proposed as an alternate location to RPI if needed.

CONTROL TOWER/AIR CARGO FACILITY TOUR - The tour given by Steve Iachetta was very informative. He discussed the constraints in the control tower – trees limiting visibility, phone system, field changes, and the testing of the ETVS (enhanced terminal voice system) and ARTS (automated radar terminal system) – and the operations. The air cargo facility was also included as part of the tour.

ACTION ITEMS

- CDTC staff will start preparations for the Spring Roundtable event.

- NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING: Friday, April 23, 1:30-3:30 pm at the CDTC office. Agenda will include: Member Updates, Roundtable, Tandem Lot, Conrail

- Thruway to bring safety video to next Freight Task Force meeting.

- CDTC staff will continue to monitor the Conrail merger.