PUBLIC COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

Part A. Verbal Comments

Mr. Michael Brimmer, CSX Corporation
Comment
Mr. Brimmer stated that as one of the joint owners of the Bergen Arches, CSX would like to participate in a transportation planning study of the Bergen Arches that considers the full range of transportation needs and options - including how to provide adequate alternative infrastructure for rail freight, as well as for roadway and passenger use.

Background
Mr. Brimmer provided a two-page summary of rail freight infrastructure needs, which appears under Written Comments. He stated that Conrail is the owner of the Bergen Arches right-of-way, and that Conrail has been purchased by two rail operators, CSX Corporation, and Norfolk Southern. It is anticipated that the two rail companies will begin to operate Conrail's lines in June, 1999. In the Bergen Arches area, they will be operating jointly through a subsidiary company, the Shared Assets corporation. The Conrail name will continue to be used in this area, but work will be performed on behalf of either CSX or Norfolk Southern.

According to Mr. Brimmer, a growth in rail freight volume in the area is expected, through competition between service providers, and with plans to offer non-stop direct service to the southeast, as well as to increase service to correspond with recent proposals to expand Port traffic. He noted that the previous trend of abandoning Conrail rail lines and selling property for redevelopment or other uses was not expected to continue, as the two rail operators would be seeking to maintain and enhance existing rail freight infrastructure.

Mr. Brimmer stated that rail freight capacity issues should be considered in the study to evaluate various uses for the Bergen Arches right-of-way. Although the Bergen Arches rail line has been abandoned, it is located in an area where rail freight expansion is expected. In addition, there is a prior commitment to abandon one of the lines into the area, the River Line, for use in the future expansion of the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Transit system. Currently, Conrail operates two lines from the north, and two lines from the south into Jersey City. The redesignation of the River Line for passenger service will reduce the number of lines available for rail freight service.

He stated that the Bergen Arches right-of-way could play a role in avoiding a potential bottleneck of rail freight movement through the area. If used for rail freight, the line could serve intermodal terminals located in North Bergen and near Secaucus, connecting them with major railyards at Keamy and Oak Island. The line in the Bergen Arches could also serve any plans for port expansion as funding for dredging becomes available, and as a new deep water hub port is pursued in the Port Jersey area.

Mr. Brimmer pointed out that possible uses for the Bergen Arches right-of-way should be evaluated in the broad context of passenger, roadway and rail freight needs. He expressed support for a comprehensive study that would include the development of options to replace reduced freight capacity.

Response Comments are forwarded to the study sponsors for their consideration.

Mr. Alexander Jordan, Norfolk Southern
Comment
Mr. Jordan stated that he concurred with the overview of rail freight infrastructure needs provided by Mr. Brimmer. He emphasized that Norfolk Southern shares the concerns of CSX regarding the need to sufficiently maintain rail infrastructure to support commercial freight movement at predicted growth rates.

Background
Mr. Jordan stated that current plans for developing the Bayonne peninsula are expected to result in expanded commercial rail movement, requiring adequate infrastructure to sustain economic growth. He also indicated that the competition between CSX and Norfolk Southern is expected to generate additional commercial traffic beyond the volumes served by Conrail as the single carrier to the area. He requested that the study consider all modes, to produce a plan that would prepare for growth and its effects and recommend a means for adequately using resources to address future needs.