Transportation Priorities

• Support New York City’s $9 billion maritime industry, which includes ports and terminals, ferry operations, government services, maritime support operations recreational and commercial boating and maritime environmental resources.
• Develop New York City’s rail freight assets to maximize the use of rail by local businesses.
• Develop New York City’s maritime infrastructure and resources through investment and public-private partnerships.
• Provide strategic planning for aviation and transportation-policy initiatives
• Identify innovative dredged material management programs to ensure a balance between development and protection of harbor ecosystems.
• Secure state and federal waterfront permits for NYCEDC projects as well as providing assistance to City agencies and maritime businesses.
• Identify non-City funding sources to maritime development

NYCEDC transportation activities are divided into four primary categories: Seaport & Rail, Ferries, Dredging & Permitting and Aviation.

Seaports
Growth in maritime business, driven by global trade, is expected to generate new users along the City’s waterfront. The Port of New York and New Jersey is the third largest port in the United States and the largest port complex on the Atlantic Coast. NYCEDC plays a crucial role in supporting and developing economic activity at this and other of New York City’s maritime interests. We are dedicated to ensuring that New York’s seaports continue to remain competitive in an ever changing shipping market.

Rail Freight
NYCEDC also leads the strategic development of the City’s freight rail assets. Rail Freight is integral to a balanced land transportation system. In the past, New York boasted a vibrant rail distribution network that was largely replaced by trucking in the 1970’s – 1990’s. But due to increased congestion on the City’s roadways, higher fuel costs and environmental considerations, rail distribution is returning to importance.

We coordinate with local railroad companies, such as Conrail, CSX, Norfolk Southern, NY & A, NYNJ Rail to foster greater use of the City’s rail terminals. In 2007, NYCEDC reactivated the Staten Island Railroad, which is responsible for intermodal shipments that eliminate 100,000 trucks from the local roads annually. 

Seaport & Rail Projects

• South Brooklyn Marine Terminal
• Howland Hook Marine Terminal
• 25th Street Pier
• Bush Terminal Pier 6
• Maritime Support Services Location Study
• Staten Island Railroad Reactivation 
• 65th Street Rail Yard
• Arlington Yard

For more information on Seaport and Rail contact:
Andrew Genn
Vice President
212-312-3783
agenn@nycedc.com

Private Ferry services throughout New York Harbor provide an alternative transit mode for thousands daily. As more New Yorkers reconnect and migrate towards the waterfront, ferry service will need to expand. Maritime/Transportation Policy is responsible for creating and implementing policies concerning the private ferry services in New York City and coordinates with NYCDOT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and private ferry companies to develop new and expanded ferry service.

New York’s private ferry system is a safe, reliable, and convenient mode of transportation for thousands of commuters daily. Currently the private ferry service serves commuters in New York City, lower Westchester country and New Jersey. NYCEDC is leading the expansion of private ferry service on the E. River and is seeking to conduct a pilot ferry service between the Rockaway’s and Lower Manhattan. 

• E. River Commuter Service
• Rockaway-Lower Manhattan Commuter Service
• E. 34th St. Ferry Landing
• Pier 79 Ferry Landing
• Battery Maritime Building
• Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal
• Staten Island Ferry St. George Terminal
• Pier 11

Leasing Opportunities
The Staten Island Ferry Terminals present an exceptional opportunity for retailers seeking a steady and reliable stream of potential customers.

Sustaining the economic viability of New York City’s maritime businesses depends largely upon maintaining the depths of navigation channels and ports of call as well as marinas and water-dependent businesses. NYCEDC provides “cradle to grave” assistance for dredging projects including: permit application assistance, preparation of sampling and testing plans, and post dredged material management.

Permit Application Assistance
Permitting assistance is provided for all waterfront projects including dredging. The level of permit application assistance varies with the size and complexity of the project.

•  Small Projects
  NYCEDC can handle the entire application process, including pre-application meetings with the Regulatory Agencies, preparation of the application and any follow-up required to aid the Regulatory Agencies in reaching a decision on permit issuance.
•  Large Projects
  NYCEDC can prepare all application letters and forms, relying on an outside contractor to provide engineering drawings and surveys. As with small projects, NYCEDC can handle meetings with the Regulatory Agencies and the follow-up required to aid the Regulatory Agencies in reaching a decision on permit issuance.
•  Very Large Projects
  NYCEDC can assist the project contractor(s) with the application process through participation at meetings with the Regulatory Agencies and review of the permit application and all follow-up materials.

Dredged Material Management

Fresh Kills Landfill
NYCEDC manages the Fresh Kills Landfill processed dredged material project. The project is possible through a Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) which allows for the beneficial use of dredged material, processed with a minimum of 8% cement, to be used as below the liner alternate grading material.

At the completion of the project (expected to be May 2008) approximately 816,000 cubic yards of processed dredged material will have been placed as alternate grading material at the Fresh Kills Landfill. The use of processed dredged material in the Fresh Kills Landfill closure (all of it arriving via barge) has resulted in numerous benefits to NYC:

• Economic benefit
  Processed dredged material being accepted at Fresh Kills arrives by barge free of charge; an approximate $36,717,660 in savings over purchasing the same volume of fill.
• Environmental benefits
  Heavy-duty diesel truck emissions constitute 54% of on-road NOx, 7.7% of on-road PM-10, and 4.9% of CO. One barge of processed dredged material equates to approximately 40 truckloads; barge delivery therefore results in a significant reduction in green house gases.
• Public benefits
  Barge delivery of processed dredged material over the 2.5 year project will reduce truck traffic by 81,600 truck trips (approximately 326 truck trips per week day).

Dredging & Permitting Projects

• Fresh Kills Landfill (Dredged Material Management)
• Passenger Ship Terminal (Permit Application Assistance)

To improve the City’s aviation networks, NYCEDC works with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to ensure that our major airports, JFK and LaGuardia, are world-class gateways and are easily accessible. We are also working to develop a comprehensive City policy towards commuter helicopter services.

On November 24, 2004 the City of New York and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) signed a fifty-year lease for both John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia Airports. The long-term lease was the catalyst for the creation of the Aviation office within NYCEDC. The office acts as a liaison between the City and the PANYNJ on key aviation initiatives, as well as maintaining the long-term economic viability of the New York City airports.

The office also overseas both the 34th Street and the Downtown Manhattan Heliports and serves as the City’s representative to the surrounding communities impacted by the heliports. 

Aviation Projects

• JFK Airport Access Program
• Downtown Manhattan Heliport
• 34th Street Heliport

For more information on Aviation contact:
Patricia Ornst
Assistant Vice President
212-312-4226
patricia.ornst@nycedc.com