Townline Rail Terminal

The Surface Transportation Board filed a decision denying the Townline Association’s request to reconsider the decision to grant authority for Townline Rail Terminal to construct and operate, as the association did not provide any new evidence or changed circumstances. Townline Rail is subject to environmental mitigation conditions and will follow the guidelines of American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association.

The Surface Transportation Board filed its decision approving Townline Rail Terminal to construct and operate a new rail line in Smithtown, Suffolk County, NY, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.

The Surface Transportation Board has provided a Final Environmental Assessment, including a response to comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment. These documents can be viewed via the STB.gov website under Docket No. FD 36575 or by clicking the “read more” link below.

The STB responded to the Town of Smithtown’s request for a declaratory order regarding hazardous materials pertaining to Townline Rail and CarlsonCorp. Townline Rail would be considered a common carrier and thus required to handle hazardous materials under a reasonable request. The CarlsonCorp transloading facility – as a separate entity, not providing rail service but loading and unloading services – would not be a common carrier.

This should put to rest the fear being raised by some in the community about transport of any hazardous or toxic chemicals and materials to the Kings Park property: New York State DEC and Town of Smithtown regulations would prohibit those materials on CarlsonCorp property, and their decisions cannot be overridden by the Federal Surface Transportation Board.