RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

Friday, July 23, 1999, New York State Thruway Authority Boardroom, Third Floor

Attendance: Katherine Forster, CDTC; Ted Thompson, NYSDOT – Region 1; John Newman, KONSKI; Michael Franchini, Albany County; Art Dutcher, Saratoga Transport; Chungchin Chen, CDRPC; Dick Corp, NYS Thruway Authority

EZ Pass/Fast Lane Accounts

The two toll road authorities are in discussions to make their two systems compatible. Starting in the fall of 1999, you will be able to use your EZ Pass transponder in both New York and Massachusetts. You would still have to register with the Mass. authority but would only have to have one account and transponder. In regards to receiving discounts however, you would still have to maintain both accounts.

Previous Meeting Record Correction

CDRPC completed a regional atlas, not the landuse study as erroneously reported. The landuse study is being carried out presently.

Member Updates/Current Events

CDTC – The I-87 Corridor committee has changed its name to Champlain-Hudson Corridor Coalition to reflect the inclusion of canalways, rail and other means of transport. The three priority projects identified by the Coalition are the Champlain Border Facility Modernization, CP Rail Tunnel & Bridge Modifications and the Thruway Tandem Truck Lot Relocation. Scenic Byway designation for Route 4 is being sought and CDTC is part of the transportation sub-committee.

DOT – Data group issued flows of commodities: inter-country and inter-state. There is consideration to do a white paper regarding the need for a longer test period of tandems to the port. There is controversy regarding the legislation to allow tandems to the Scotia Industrial Park. The residents of Route 5 are not in agreement with this legislation and question its creation.

KONSKI – Participated in the New York State Canal Trek (portion from Whitehall to Fort Edwards) on the Caprice . There were about 20-30 boats, but no canoes this year.

Albany County – Working with CDTC on the roundtable. The draft environmental impact statement for the Albany-Shaker road project has been released. There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, August 31 at the County of Albany Public Safety Building in the Town of Colonie. They are still on schedule to start construction in the fall of 2001.

Thruway – They have sold over two thousand videos. The video was featured in the International Bridge and Tunnel Newsletter. There are discussions of producing a second video. New accounts for the Thruway have not increased but revenues are good (trips are up). Mr. Corp is retiring from the NYS Thruway at the end of October this year. He is planning to get back into the safety business.

Saratoga Transport – The trucking industry is flourishing due to the rail hold-ups. (Even with a shortage of drivers.) Saratoga Transport just became a member of the NYSMTA.

CDRPC – Starting landuse airport study for Schenectady. Working with the Heritage Commission on the designation of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. The York detention center was constructed in 1997 and is already full - further construction will begin soon.

Conrail Acquisition – DOT reported that there were some troubles at the beginning: slow downs, lost cars, delayed cars. It was very slow at Selkirk. But now CSX is getting back on track while Norfolk Southern is taking a little bit longer to get up to speed after the acquisition date.

Tandem Lot Relocation Study – There have been no comments received in regards to the final report mailout.

TIP Update – The TIP was passed at both the Planning and Policy level. There were a few minor schedule changes for bridges in Schenectady County and Saratoga County.

Roundtable – The symposium theme has been changed from a focus on intermodalism to International Trade Corridors based on the keynote speaker and the efforts of the Champlain-Hudson Coalition. Plans are well underway with NYSDOT, Albany County, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce on the steering committee. The conference will now be two sessions with one in Albany - September 27 and the other in Plattsburgh - October 13.

Tour of Port of Albany - Frank Commisso and Mark Bruno gave the Task Force a tour of the port that included the warehouses, docks, equipment and the new workboat. The port receives wood pulp from Chile, road salt, and scrap metal on the Rensselaer side among other commodities. There are private ports for oil/petrol companies in the vicinity also. It takes 12 hours for boats to travel the river from NYC to Albany (there must be two captains for the ship). Albany is the furthest turning point on the Hudson for these large vessel (700 feet plus). It is an all-season port. The channel is 35 feet deep and is kept clear by the Army Corp (who is responsible for the middle of river) and the ports. A private tugboat company turns the ships around.

ACTION ITEMS

- CDTC staff will continue preparations for the symposium event in the fall.

- CDCT staff will look into having a presentation on the I-90 Exit 8, Phase 2 study for October Task Force meeting.

- NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING: Friday, October 22, 1:30-3:30 pm at the CDTC office on 5 Computer Drive West. The agenda will include: Member Updates, report on the International Trade Corridors Symposium, and other Corridor Coalition information.