To start with the positive news – under the agreement negotiated and signed by the Village/County/ CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroads in December 2021, the railroads agreed to advance the Quiet Zone project in a number of ways. This included a commitment by the railroads to share with the County their survey and design work related to the CSX/NS track merger in Voorheesville. That work has commenced. It is being shared with the County Department of Public Works which has engaged a railroad consulting firm, Saratoga Railroad Associates PC, to do the engineering work for the Quiet Zone.
However, other issues remain. To review where we have been – there are currently three players involved in establishing the Quiet Zone: Albany County government, CSX and the New York State Dormitory Authority (DASNY). Albany County is the key negotiator for the Quiet Zone because it owns the roads that cross the tracks at Main Street and Voorheesville Avenue and is the only entity legally empowered to be the applicant for the Quiet Zone. CSX, of course, is involved because it owns the tracks at the 2 crossings. DASNY is involved because under law, the type of appropriations the state legislature made for this project ($340,000) must be approved by DASNY.
At the end of last year, it appeared that the County had successfully concluded negotiations with CSX concerning certain legal requirements raised by DASNY, which is that the County must have access to the gates constructed with state funds. CSX however, raised a new requirement that the County cover maintenance and all other costs at both crossings. DASNY also raised further questions about the sufficiency of the agreement concluded by the County and CSX.
The Village and the County are making diligent efforts to resolve these problems.
Stay tuned.
Steve Schreiber
Committee for a Quiet Zone in Voorheesville
3_25_2023
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