Listen to this articleAs the Brookhaven landfill approaches its closure, New York City and Long Island face a looming crisis: an impending surge in truck traffic, which threatens to exacerbate already severe congestion and increase costs for businesses and consumers. However, amid this challenge lies an opportunity to rethink our approach to rail freight transportation. Embracing rail freight as a primary means of transporting goods presents a sustainable and efficient solution that can mitigate these, and other, negative impacts such as creating added environmental benefits.
The closure of the Brookhaven landfill will force a significant volume of waste to find alternative routes, including trucks as the default option. This shift threatens to overwhelm our already congested roadways, increasing travel times, putting additional wear and tear on infrastructure and creating more air pollution. In a region where traffic congestion is a daily struggle, adding more trucks is not a viable long-term solution.
Rail freight offers a compelling alternative not just for moving waste, but improving the flow of bulk goods, including construction material and food products, to name a few. Unlike trucks, trains can move large quantities of goods over long distances more efficiently. A single freight train can carry the equivalent of several hundred truckloads, significantly reducing the number of vehicles on our roads. This not only alleviates traffic congestion but also lowers greenhouse gas emissions and decreases the strain on our roadways and related infrastructure.
The benefits of rail freight extend beyond traffic and environmental considerations. It is also a cost-effective solution. Transporting goods by rail is less expensive than by truck, particularly over long distances. This cost efficiency can translate to lower prices for consumers and reduced operational costs for businesses, making our regional economy more competitive.
We must also consider the broader economic benefits of a robust rail freight system. By reducing road congestion, we can improve the overall efficiency of our transportation network, leading to faster commutes, improved delivery times and more reliable supply chains. This is crucial for businesses across various industries–from manufacturing to retail to tech and beyond–that depend on employees being able to get to work, and on the timely and cost-effective inbound and outbound transportation of goods.
The transition to greater use of rail freight is not without its challenges. It requires substantial investment in infrastructure and coordination between various stakeholders. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs. A well-developed rail freight system will not only address the immediate concerns arising from the Brookhaven landfill closure but also provide a foundation for sustainable growth in the future.
Closing the landfill in Brookhaven presents a critical juncture for our region. We have the opportunity to adopt a forward-thinking approach to freight transportation that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, environmental concerns and economic competitiveness. By embracing rail freight, we can alleviate traffic congestion, reduce costs, improve regional air quality and pave the way for a more resilient transportation network.
Tom Grech is president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Marlon Taylor is president of New York & Atlantic Railway.
