By ERNIE FAZIO //
One of the mainstays of the regional infrastructure picture is rail.
Solid-waste management has an enormous impact on other types of infrastructure. Without the proper solid-waste management practices, our roads would be overburdened by trucks, our delicate ecosystem would be at risk due to harmful materials and economic development would come to a screeching halt.
Today, Long Island is at a crossroads when it comes to garbage. We are producing trash at some of the highest levels we have ever seen, and at the same time we are preparing for life without the Brookhaven Landfill, a key piece of our solid-waste puzzle that is close to reaching capacity.
So, we must find new ways to move this waste off Long Island without damaging our roads, water supply and more.
Ernie Fazio: One-track mind.
Freight rail is a common-sense solution. The shipment of solid waste and other goods by railroad is much more efficient and environmentally sound than trucking, which adds to traffic congestion and air pollution.
Unfortunately, the Long Island region utilizes freight rail at much lower rates than other areas in New York State and surrounding states. That’s why the Winters Rail Terminal must become a reality for Long Island.
In addition to providing a key piece of the solution to our region’s trash problem, this terminal – proposed by Winters Bros. Waste Systems for a 228-acre site in Yaphank, including an indoor solid-waste transfer facility and rail infrastructure with direct access to interstate rail transportation – will also facilitate freight-served warehousing, a rarity on Long Island.
With e-commerce as popular as ever, we can take even more trucks off of our roads by moving goods across, on and off Long Island via train. Moreover, having a variety of warehousing types across our region can help boost our economy by creating competition, which helps keep prices down for consumers.
It is time for us to proactively invest in our infrastructure, economy and environment, and the construction of the Winters Rail Terminal is the first step.
Ernie Fazio is chairman of Long Island Metro Business Action.
