Print Friendly, PDF & Email

For the proposed redevelopment of an exist[ds_preview]ing rail yard the Port of Long Beach will begin public hearings next week on a draft environmental study. A new facility could increase the use of »on-dock« trains, moving cargo faster while making operations more sustainable.

The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, proposed for the northern area of the Port, would shift more cargo to »on-dock rail«, where containers are placed directly on trains at marine terminals, significantly reducing trips by trucks throughout the region. No trucks would visit the rail facility. Instead, smaller train segments would be brought to the facility to be joined together into a full-size train, the Port of Long Beach said.

Port of Long Beach seeks public input on redevelopment plans of pier B rail yard
Photo: Port of Long Beach

The rail yard would be operated by Pacific Harbor Line, which provides short haul rail transportation switching services, railroad track maintenance and train dispatching services under contract to the Port. Pacific Harbor Line is the first railroad in the nation that has converted its entire fleet to clean diesel locomotives that reduce air pollution and save fuel.

An overview of the plans can be found here.