LIRR strike would impact area's freight-rail traffic, Brookhaven Rail says

If it occurs on Sunday as threatened by eight labor unions, an MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) strike would greatly impact freight-rail traffic in addition to commuter-rail service in the New York area, according to Brookhaven Rail Terminal (BRT) officials.

About 800 long-haul trucks and 20,000 tons of cargo would return to Long Island roadways over the course of a month after a strike, they said in a press release.

A multi-modal freight facility on Long Island in Yaphank, N.Y., BRT was formed by local island business professionals in conjunction with Brookhaven Rail L.L.C. and is operated by U.S. Rail Corp. The terminal is adjacent to a LIRR line and the Long Island Expressway, and currently logs about 50 rail cars per week.

"Based on the strategic role the rail terminal has played over the last 12 months to reduce regional truck traffic, air emissions and roadway wear and tear, our calculations show that Long Island needs to be prepared to see a return of at least 185 truck trips if the strike lasts a week," said Brookhaven Rail President Jim Newell. "We are issuing an advisory to local and state transportation officials so that they can factor these numbers into their crisis management planning because the BRT has become a quiet but essential transportation asset in moving commerce onto Long Island over the last year."