TRANSPORTATION

Conrail May Cut a Third of Routes: The Philadelphia-based freight railroad said it is considering abandoning or selling nearly 4,000 miles of track in an effort to boost profit. “It could be a year or more before anything is decided,” said Robert Sullivan, Conrail Inc.’s director of public affairs. He added: “The review is not a new process. We have always looked at the system, at all the lines, to determine whether they are useful and profitable and whether any should be abandoned.” Over the years Conrail has reduced its track by 40%. The company had more than 17,000 miles of track when it was formed in 1976. Now, it said, it is looking at low-volume lines off the main routes west from Boston and New York to St. Louis and Chicago.