The Port Authority says it hopes to begin developing the first elements of a port "inland distribution network" that could reduce trucking to and from port terminals in New Jersey.

PA officials recently told the Journal of Commerce they hoped to see regular container barging services from NY Harbor to Albany and Bridgeport by year's end. They also said that, during 2001, they expected to announce a new regular train service to an inland depot, but did not identify it.

The main aim of the inland distribution network is to identify "dense trade clusters" 75-400 miles from the NY/NJ port that can be served by rail or barge container shuttle services. If the network can be developed, the port would stand a chance of growing rapidly without inflicting a huge increase in truck traffic on the region's roads.

Bridgeport planning officials said they hoped to test barging runs this fall, using both roll-on/roll-off and container crane technologies. Roll-on/roll-off barges require less expensive port infrastructure than container lift operations, but barges geared toward the latter technique can carry three times as many containers on the same size barge.

It's unclear what projects or services the Port Authority would pursue for the network's "second phase" of implementation. Extensive development of the network is not part of the Port Authority's construction budget, but the concept points the way for future capital investment in a less truck-dependent future for the port.

Port Inland Network Would Curb Truck Traffic- January 15, 2001

More Movement on Freight Barges, September 18, 2000

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