Port of Long Beach releases on-dock rail facility draft environmental study
The Port of Long Beach on Dec. 15 released a draft environmental study on a proposal to redevelop a rail yard to allow for the assembly of longer trains within the Harbor District, moving cargo faster while making operations more sustainable, the port's press release said.
The proposed Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility would shift more cargo to “on-dock rail,” where containers are placed directly on trains at marine terminals. No trucks would visit the facility. The rail yard would be operated by Pacific Harbor Line, a switching railroad that has converted its fleet to clean diesel locomotives that reduce air pollution and save fuel. View a video about the project here.
“The proposed development would enhance the efficiency of goods movement at the Port of Long Beach,” said Interim Chief Executive Duane Kenagy. “This project is vital to our efforts to modernize the Port and continue to lead the way in environmental sustainability.”
The Port has prepared a draft environmental impact report (DEIR) analyzing the impacts of the proposed development, and the mitigation measures that would be used to address those impacts.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a primary gateway for transpacific trade and a trailblazer in innovative goods movement, safety and environmental stewardship. With 140 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports worldwide, the Port handles trade valued at more than $155 billion each year and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in Southern California. Founded in 1911, the Port enters its second century with more than $4 billion in planned capital improvements over the next decade to support trade growth and strengthen its ability to serve the goods-movement industry, Port clients and the community. The Port of Long Beach is a public agency managed and operated by the City of Long Beach Harbor Department. The Port is governed by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners
