By DAN HEATH
Staff Writer
July 25, 2008 07:18 am
—
PLATTSBURGH -- Rail infrastructure is the last part of the vision to create a Port of Excellence border crossing and fully develop the Quebec-New York Corridor.
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That was one of the messages delivered to State of New York Department of Transportation Policy and Planning Division Deputy Commissioner Karen Rae as she was briefed on the region's transportation strategy during a two-day visit to the North Country.
RAIL TRAIL LACKING
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas repeated his mantra that where things move is where prosperity occurs.
The region is poised to take advantage of that, he said, because of its position as Montreal's U.S. suburb and its location in the Quebec-New York Corridor.
Douglas said the $107 million Port of Excellence project has addressed truck-traffic issues and that completion of the project will do the same for cars and buses.
"This will be the most efficient, modern, flexible border crossing in the United States."
Boats are now accommodated by the new inspection dock on the north side of the Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge in Rouses Point.
The rail crossing at Rouses Point is the last piece of the chamber's vision for a Port of Excellence, he said, but that part of the vision is not pleasant at the moment.
"That crossing is a disgrace," Douglas said.
It needs improvement because it is the first thing seen by rail travelers as they enter the country.
CAUSE OF DELAYS
State Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro) said New York state provides $5 million a year to the rail line that runs north-south through the Quebec-New York Corridor. She said that money should be spent on improving Amtrak's ability to run on time.
Rae said part of DOT's rail plan was to look at its rail investments across the state, both freight and passenger.
DOT has found that 15 percent of Amtrak's delayed arrivals is because of crossing the border, while 80 percent of delays are caused by having to wait for freight traffic.
More sidings are needed to ensure that traffic flows better, Rae said. Improving four key sidings is a key part of that vision and could substantially decrease rail travel time from the border to Albany, she said.
TOURIST TRAIN
State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) said it's important to preserve the last rail line that runs through the heart of the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack On Track Partnership is pushing for rehabilitation of the Adirondack rail line between Remsen and Lake Placid, with a priority on the portion between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake.
"One of the things that I think is terribly important about the rail lines in the Adirondack Park is that if you take them up, you'll never get them back," Little said.
Even if it's only for tourist use now, it keeps that line alive for passenger or freight use in the future, she said.
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) said that while the region's communities and people are second to none, the area doesn't have the tax base to go it alone.
"We need to encourage more tourism, to bring people in and to provide alternative methods of transportation."
Douglas said the Adirondack rail line is important if Lake Placid ever wants to host another Winter Olympic Games.
"That won't happen without that rail line. It's the only way to bring that many people to the region."
dheath@pressrepublican.com
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