At a New Jersey port development strategy meeting hosted by the Tri-State Campaign this morning, representatives of the region's freight railroads stressed that adding rail capacity is critical to the health of the Port of NY/NJ and removal of trucks from our roads. Norfolk Southern's Alex Jordan emphasized that "the port cannot be operated efficiently with existing track infrastructure." According to Jordan, efficient container train operation will depend on adding second tracks to single line routes, modernizing signals, and improving dockside rail.

Railroad representatives also said growth in rail freight can have positive multiplier effects. Mike Brimmer of CSX said that as the railroads increase north-south trips, adding cars to existing trains can make some shorter rail hauls in the region economical for rail.

Unfortunately, funding for rail freight projects in NJ has fallen from last year's $10 million - which was not even entirely spent - back down to $2 million.

The meeting, which was hosted by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, was called to help ensure that business, environmental groups, and local officials have an opportunity to weigh in on the Port Authority's port plan before it is completed in December. NJ and Port Authority officials were generally receptive to comments and pledged to seek out support from local government and other stakeholders once their port "options analysis" is completed. Including public views now, however, makes more sense.