The Port of Long Beach Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility has received a final federal approval from the US Maritime Administration.
The administration approved the $1.5 billion project on 18 April.
The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility is located southwest of Anaheim Street and the 710 Freeway, representing a centerpiece of the port’s rail improvement programme.
The facility will shift more cargo to “on-dock rail” and significantly reduce trips by trucks throughout the region.
The project is scheduled for full completion in 2032, whilst the first construction phase is expected to be completed in 2025 and it will double the capacity of the existing Pier B rail yard.
Last December, the Port of Long Beach received a $52.3 million grant to fund the development of its rail facility.
“Simply put, the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility will move cargo faster and with fewer environmental impacts,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.
“We thank MARAD for its work completing the EIS, which allows us to receive federal funding for a facility that will benefit the whole country.”
Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal added: “The Port of Long Beach is a gateway for $200 billion in job-generating trade each year.”
“This project will help cargo move more efficiently, and it’s vital to maintaining our competitiveness and meeting our environmental goals.”
Turning to the container sector, the Port of Long Beach reached a new record-high in March, moving a total of 863,156 TEU.
