nymtc regional freight plan - New York Metropolitan Transportation ...

A Freight Plan for the NYMTC Region
Transportation Impacts
While the construction of new float bridges would improve the reliability of float operations,
as an independent action it is not expected to significantly increase Cross-Hudson
freight volume.
Other Impacts
Few significant environmental impacts are likely to be associated with this project. The
project can slightly improve regional connectivity in the Northern and Southern Crossing
corridors. There are no major physical barriers to improving float service. Institutional
barriers are significant, however, involving coordination across bi-state entities and
among private railroad operators. The project involves minor upgrades to the current
level of car float technology.
Responsible Organizations/Action Plan
To be determined – Resolve outstanding bi-state coordination issues and cross-harbor carrier
issues.
Action 2 – Complete Cross Harbor Tunnel and Ancillary Facilities DEIS
Description
The Cross Harbor Freight Movement DEIS being conducted by the NYCEDC includes an
extensive analysis of future freight movement demand in the NYMTC region and an
assessment of potential expansion of rail freight use resulting from the construction of a
direct rail freight connection across the harbor. Though the DEIS has not been released at
this writing, findings and methodology were made available to NYMTC for the purposes
of this report. According to the DEIS, the Cross Harbor Tunnel investment program consists
of three parts, as shown in Figure 5.7: 1) constructing a rail freight tunnel linking
northern New Jersey and the East-of-Hudson region; 2) constructing an East-of-Hudson
intermodal terminal to receive added rail traffic; and 3) making rail line improvements to
support these facilities. Each part is described in detail below.
1. Cross Harbor Rail Freight Tunnel Construction – A tunnel under the harbor would link
the 65 th Street Yard in Brooklyn and the Greenville Yard in northern New Jersey. Single
and double tunnel systems are under consideration. Each tunnel would contain
one track. An alternative alignment across the north shore of Staten Island is
expected to be ruled out in the DEIS.
2. Maspeth Intermodal Terminal Construction – The proposed Maspeth terminal would be
the hub for direct containerized intermodal service using a cross harbor tunnel. The
terminal would handle traffic diverted to rail by new services made possible by the
cross harbor rail tunnel. The Maspeth terminal would be connected to the tunnel via
a two-track, freight-only route from the tunnel portal via the Bay Ridge and Montauk
(west) Branches of the LIRR.
Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 5-33