The region's border crossings and port facilities are gateways to the global marketplace. In short, the region's transportation system is an integral part of the economic health of the entire nation. The region is the most truck-dependent in the nation, with profound implications for freight movement and its related impacts on the region's economy and environment. The change in ownership of the region's only Class 1 railroad will have a significant effect on regional railroads as well as the Northeast's short-line railroads. The Northeast has more short-line rails serving communities than any other part of the nation.
More people ride transit in the Northeast than in any other region of the nation.
The region's transportation infrastructure is heavily used and experiences pronounced seasonal weather variations, contributing to the need for substantial funding for maintenance and construction. While the region is heavily urbanized, it is also very rural. The rural transportation system affects many small communities' ability to generate economic development and provide access to social services. A well-connected, national transportation system is an economic necessity. Intermodal networks and new technologies are key to economically competitive and environmentally sound transportation systems.