Update from Reed Board Member, Nadyne Rosin:
Rail Yard Study and Possible Support: There will be a study of the potential relocation of the Albina Rail Yard. The Albina Rail Yard Relocation Project is a long term plan to move the switching needs of the railroad to another location outside of the city center. This could include the Brooklyn Rail Yard as well if the railroad modernizes the entire metropolitan area at once, which has historically been the process in other major cities. This modernization of this 19th century technology would include elevating or trenching the railroad throughout the city, thereby eliminating all crossing conflicts, noise and lowering pollution. To determine the viability of this idea, a $30,000 engineering study would lay the foundation for a preliminary meeting of primary stakeholders.
Mo Badreddine from the Albina Relocation Project and Terry Dublinski-Milton, former SE Uplift Chair, will present this idea and officially ask for SE Uplift funding to help this study. Rail relocation projects in general offer many benefits that extend beyond crossing safety and operations. Possible additional benefits may include:
• Improved environmental air quality resulting from decreased noise and air pollution.
• Improved land use & appearance
• Enhancing public safety- eliminating possible obstructions to emergency vehicles
• Safer routes for hazardous material movements
• Improvements in the railroad’s operational efficiency
• Large parcels of land could open up for redevelopment and park space. The highest concentration of diesel exhaust stems from Brooklyn Yard. Tonnage by truck is expected to double from now-2040 and triple in value. Feel free to reach out to Terry before the meeting if you want more info. The attached document describes the scope of the study.
The SE Uplift board then proceeded to vote for adding Brooklyn Switch yard to the study and would match a Dollar for every two dollars raised.
On April 10, the Reed Neighborhood Board approved donating a sum of $300. SE Uplift will add $150. $7,000 has already been raised.
To view the Albina Rail Yard Relocation study, click the link below:
