A recent Port Authority offer to resolve its battle with Union County and Elizabeth could lead to progress on reactivation of a rail link from Staten Island to NJ connections to the mainland U.S. railroad network. Such a link could in turn be an important piece of a rail- based NYC garbage export policy.

The NYC Economic Development Corp. has refurbished track and yard facilities in Staten Island, and the connecting rail bridge over the Arthur Kill, as part of its work to bolster the recently reopened Howland Hook container port. The line through Union County still needs work, but the renovation has fallen hostage to an ongoing dispute over land and money between Elizabeth and the County on one side and the Port Authority on the other. Issues include payments for the use of land for Newark Airport and the future of a large land parcel adjacent to Port Elizabeth.

The Home News Tribune cited Elizabeth Mayor Christian Bollwage this week describing a new Port Authority offer as "worth exploring" and potentially beneficial for Elizabeth. He said the proposal was comprehensive, and addressed the issue of rail access through the county. The Port Authority wants the rail link so Howland Hook operations can be expanded to meet rising port commerce.

But since some of NYC's garbage trucks are scheduled to flow into Elizabeth in the near future, getting the rail line working is now a more urgent issue for Elizabeth and Union County as well. And to the extent NYC government comes to feel public heat for its truck-based trash export plan, a functioning link could factor into Dept. of Sanitation planning as well. NYC officials contacted by the Home News Tribune said it would be safer to move trash in sealed rail containers than by truck, and noted that garbage is flowing out of the city in trucks that cross Staten Island now.