U.S. MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN SET FOR REVIEW

U.S. MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN SET FOR REVIEW    The U.S. Transportation Department’ Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council will hold a meeting in Long Beach, Calif., Aug. 13-14, to consider an industry proposal to update the country’s marine infrastructure.
   “I view the expanded use of waterborne transportation as part of a multmodal cooperative effort to maximize choice and provide cost effective transportation alternatives to an impending trade explosion and transportation overload,” said Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.
   International trade to the United States is expected to double by 2020, threatening efficiency of the country’s surfrace transportation system.
   The 35-person council has focused on the use water transportation and the role the country’s waterway system can play in reducing rail and highway congestion.
   “Given our new emphasis on homeland security, and the real need to efficiently and securely handle the increased volume of trade now landing on our shores, it is fitting that the council meets next door to the two busiest container ports in America — the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” said Charles Raymond, MTS council chairman and president and chief executive officer of CSX Lines.
   At the meeting, the council is expected to review and give final approval to a report to the transportation secretary with its recommendations.