HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/1995
I
Southold Transportation Committee
Special Meeting with the Long Island Railroad
October 25, 1995
Present: Neb Brashich, Margaret Brown, Victor Brown, Dwayne Early, Bernie Jacobson,
Barbara Michelson, Ray Van Etten, Melissa Spiro;
Guests: Robert W. Lazaro, Jr., Executive Director - Government and Community
Affairs, and Safety Officer Ken
(This meetip.g had been scheduled for October 19, but had to be re-scheduled by URR)
Neb gave an overview of the work of the Transportation Committee including a brief
discussion of the bicycle trail system designed by the committee. He pointed out that an
primary factor is to maintain the rural quality of life on the North Fork.
Victor showed a map of the railroad right of way in Cutchogue/Mattituck and Greenport
Mr. Lazaro stated that his main concern is safety. He has worked with the Group for the
South Fork in developing their trails and believes that our "problems" are much easier to
solve.
The official right of way extends 20 feet from the edge of the rail.
The trails should not be less than 5 feet wide.
Ken stated that some kind of guard rail or decorative wood fence is necessary to keep
mountain bikers off the embankment of the tracks. Signage is also needed to identify the
route, and to warn cyclists to be cautious of trains.
An important point made by Ken is that new trains are very quiet. Uuless a person is near
a guarded crossing with warning bells, the train's approach may not be heard until the last
minute. Opening trails near active rail corridors makes them more accessible and
therefore, more dangerous. Fencing andlor plantings help to improve safety.
During lunch, Mr. Lazaro discussed item V of the day's agenda. The new cars are being
built and will be ready fairly soon. The new diesel/electric engines have been designed
but the manufacturer has not yet been selected. The stations have been re-designed and
will fit into the rural village landscape better than the current station in Southold,
according to Lazaro. However, they will all be the same. They will not have special
connections for telephones or computer terminals, and they will not have restrooms.
They will provide shelter on three sides and will be lighted.
As far as the new cars accommodating bicycles on a regular basis, it appears that the
LlRR is not enthusiastic about providing this service except possibly on special
occasions. Thinking of itself as primarily a commuter train, the adaptations necessary to
carry bicycles apparently do not seem cost-effective.
Notes taken by Margaret Brown