Among the items discussed in a meeting this week about transportation issues, expanding the regional railroad system is an idea that's certainly worth exploring and may turn out to be worthy of significant investment.

U.S. Rep Michael Arcuri, gathering feedback in preparation for a congressional hearing later this month, met in Auburn Monday with public officials and business people from area counties to talk about the region's transportation infrastructure needs.

Don Gentilcore, of the Seneca Meadows landfill, suggested that using railroads to move trash across this part of the state would be a great way to relieve the problems associated with truck traffic.

Fewer trucks on area roads means not only lessening traffic, noise and other quality of life issues but would prolong the life of the roads, themselves, saving every municipality money in maintenance and construction.

Sure, Gentilcore has business (profit) motivations and acknowledged that any rail facilities constructed at his company's property would require state or federal funding to become a reality, but the idea has merit.

There's been a lot of work done to steer garbage trucks away from local roads and onto the state Thruway, but the regulations sought by the state still lack needed enforcement to make them a reality.

For his part, Arcuri supports investing in railroads and said that federal money could go a long way in expanding rail lines in this region.

Perhaps partnering with Seneca Meadows and offering a real alternative is the way to go.

There's still a lot of unanswered questions with a proposal of this magnitude, but it looks like a good idea and we hope to see it actively explored rather than shelved.