nymtc regional freight plan - New York Metropolitan Transportation ...

A Freight Plan for the NYMTC Region
Action 2 – Improve Rail Tracks on First Avenue in the South Brooklyn Waterfront
Description
NYCEDC will make improvements to the rail tracks on First Avenue in the South
Brooklyn waterfront district. Upgraded tracks in this heavily industrialized section of
Brooklyn could increase the use of rail freight and reduce the number of trucks using the
Gowanus Expressway or Third Avenue. The new track configuration, in conjunction with
a refurbished South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, also would facilitate the development of
an auto marine terminal, which could be served by bi-level auto-carrying rail cars. These
improvements include:
• Facility improvements at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), including on-dock
rail and related track improvements;
• Elimination of an S-curve between First and Second Avenues on 41 st Street; new rail on
39 th Street for future South Brooklyn rail access to the First Avenue rail yard; and street
track improvements for direct rail access to the SBMT along First Avenue from 41 st
Street to 39 th Street;
• Improvements to Brooklyn Army Terminal tracks; and
• Rail improvements on First Avenue between the First Avenue Rail Yard at 51 st Street
to the entrance of the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
Transportation Impacts
NYCEDC estimates that a South Brooklyn auto marine terminal would generate approximately
81,000 tons of traffic.
Other Impacts
There are no other significant impacts.
Responsible Organization/Action Plan
NYCEDC – Complete plan as designed in 2004.
• 5.3 Goal #3 – Improve the Reliability and Overall
Movement of Freight in the Region by Encouraging
Expedient and Multimodal Shipment of Freight
This goal focuses on overcoming the three major types of barriers to expanded rail service
in the East-of-Hudson region: physical and operational constraints; limited yard capacity;
and limited cross-Hudson service.
Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 5-24