The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has plans to convene a conference with the goal of developing a "regional consensus on the necessary infrastructure and market-driven requirements for creating a comprehensive rail float network," PA chief planner Chris Ward told Crain's New York Business last week. An agency official confirmed that an invitation-only conference is scheduled for mid-October that will bring together a cross-section of government, industry, and public interest stakeholders. The Port Authority told the Campaign that the agency is prepared to invest in barge-rail facilities in New Jersey and hopes to build a consensus among participants about the needed improvements. The fact that only one rail-transfer bridge now operates on the Harbor's west-side is currently a large stumbling block to the NYC Economic Development Corporation's intention to begin barge-to-rail service at Brooklyn's 65th Street Rail Yard (MTR #284).

Last Monday, Governor Pataki announced that the state will spend $750,000 to improve rail access and barge transfer facilities at the Port of Albany. The investment is the first step in refitting Albany as an "Inland Port" capable of receiving containers barged up the Hudson from the New York City metro area ports for distribution to warehouses and rail. The money will be used immediately to realign and upgrade roughly 2,000 feet of track in order to run the existing rail line out to barge-transfer facilities. The Port Authority of NJ/NY, a partner in the project, anticipates that by 2005 up to 24,000 containers per year could pass through the Port of Albany. The PA expects to begin shipping cocoa beans by barge to Albany as an early demonstration project this autumn.