RECORD OF MEETING

FREIGHT TASK FORCE

Friday, August 13, 2004, CDTC Office, Colonie, NY

Attendance:

Michael Franchini (Albany County) Denise Zieske (Albany County Airport)

Gus Lapham (NYSTA) Ernesto Acosta (CDTC)

Catherine Lawson (UAlbany)

Joe Tario (NYSERDA)

Ted Thompson (NYSDOT)

Teresa La Salle (CDTC)

Jason Purvis (CDTC)

Discussion Items

A. I-87 Corridor Study – T. Thompson noted that this study is being done by Parsons and is funded with $2 million in funds from Congressman Sweeney. A final report is expected soon. Some of the recommendations expected in the final report include: implementation of a Truck Inspection area at the unused Rest Area at Valcor/Peru, monitoring of truck parking supply, road/security/safety measures including pre-pass and accelerated clearance, expansion/improvement at Kenwood Yard, Canadian Main Line improvements, including rail to rail, track surfacing, additional passing siding, and vertical clearance. The study also recommends support of the Port of Albany’s 5 year plan and remedial dredging.

B. Port of Albany PIDN - T. Thompson noted that the container barge service continues to grow, with numbers for June 2004 at 521 containers and 2,910 containers for the year as of June. T. Thompson noted that the Port has a nearly balanced import/export ratio, which is rare for ports. He noted that there is still resistance from shipping companies to store containers at the Port.

C. NYSDOT Projects – T. Thompson noted that Schodack Rest area will be rebuilt. The tandem trailers at Adirondack Beverage in the Scotia industrial Park off Exit 26 of the NYD Thruway started on July 1^st and are running smoothly. CP rail is removing tracks from Voorheesville to Albany. Negotiations are ongoing with CP rail and Albany County regarding ownership. The portion of track from Voorheesville to Delanson will remain active. T. Thompson noted a recent publication on the web by TRB, “Freight Shipments in America”. He noted that the publication provides very general information on modal and annual shipments.

D. Status of Technical Memo to CDTC - J. Purvis lead a review of the working draft of the technical memo. Comments received were noted and will be included in the document. J. Purvis commended E. Acosta’s work in developing the document.

E. 2025 Meeting Dates – J. Purvis stated that in an effort to better plan ahead, the meeting dates for the next year should be set. The meeting schedule for November 2004 to November 2005 is tentatively scheduled as follows: 11/5/04, 2/11/05, 5/06/05, 8/12/05, and 11/04/05. Meetings will remain scheduled for Friday’s at 1:30 p.m.

Member Updates/Current Events

NYSERDA – J. Tario provided a summary of NYSERDA’s freight related efforts and provided members with a handout of current projects.

SUNY Albany – C. Lawson reported that she is involved with Pilot Testing of ITS data form San Diego.

Albany County – M. Franchini noted that the Albany Shaker/Watervliet Shaker Road Project is progressing to the phase of improvements at the intersection of Watervliet Shaker Road and Sand Creek Road. Right of Way issues near Memory Gardens Cemetery are currently causing project delay.

Upcoming Events

CDTC Freight Task Force Meeting: November 5^th at 1:30 p.m. at the CDTC Office.