Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility to shift cargo from trucks to trains
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and officials from across the nation on Thursday attended a historic groundbreaking ceremony for “America’s Green Gateway,” the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, a $1.567 billion endeavor that will define the future of cargo movement at the Port of Long Beach.
About 500 people gathered for the event celebrating the project, which will double the footprint of the existing rail yard from 82 acres to 171 acres. Pier B will be built in phases, each enhancing cargo movement, with construction scheduled for completion by 2032. The project will more than triple the Port’s capacity for on-dock rail to 4.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units per year. On-dock rail cargo is moved directly to and from marine terminals by trains, reducing emissions and stress on the local and regional road network.
“Today, work starts on a rail network that triples cargo volume, keeps costs down, and reduces pollution – and it’s all because of the historic funding made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration,” said Buttigieg. “Through projects like America’s Green Gateway and the hundreds of other supply chain improvements we’re making across the country, we’re making our supply chains more robust and resilient in the face of any potential future disruptions.”
“The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility will add 130,000 feet of new tracks, build 36 new support tracks and more than double the number of trains leaving the Port to 17 per day,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “These improvements will benefit the entire U.S. supply chain and get us closer to the operational and environmental transformation into a zero-emissions port.”
In recognition of the facility’s importance to the future of the U.S. supply chain, the Port of Long Beach has won $643 million in grant funding from federal, state and local transportation agencies for the project. The federal government alone has awarded $404.1 million, while the state of California has invested $228.8 million and Los Angeles County $10 million. Besides Buttigieg, also in attendance Thursday were members of the U.S. Congress and California Legislature, and officials from various California state agencies, Los Angeles County, L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver for California by modernizing the ports that power our economy, enhancing the reliability and capacity of rail operations, and creating good-paying jobs,” said U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “This funding is a win for our economy and our environment. The Port of Long Beach’s on-dock rail expansion project will slash emissions and reduce air pollution in near-port communities while creating a more efficient gateway into our national supply chain.”
“This project is a homerun for good jobs, clean air, and a strong supply chain,” said U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach. “As Mayor, we worked to electrify and green our port, and this major investment will do just that. In Congress, we have fought for this project every single day, and I’m grateful to President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for investing in Long Beach and the region.”
“This project exemplifies our work to create jobs, cut pollution, eliminate bottlenecks and build a more dynamic supply chain – faster,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California is proud to work with the Biden-Harris Administration on this and other projects that enhance our state’s supply chain while flexing our power in global trade.”
“The groundbreaking of Pier B marks an important day for the future of Long Beach, signifying our dual commitment to both environmental and economic progress,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This project will make our Port more economically competitive in the coming decades supporting 1 in 5 jobs in Long Beach, improve the health of residents, and create more than 1,100 quality union jobs through construction.”
“The investments made by our local, state and federal partners are key to creating this state-of-the-art rail junction, giving shippers even more reasons to choose the Port of Long Beach as their gateway of choice,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “This gathering today marks a historic milestone that will bring new jobs and other economic benefits to Long Beach, this state and the nation.”
Buttigieg and other speakers arrived at the event in a passenger rail car transported by Pacific Harbor Line’s Progress Rail “Joule” zero-emissions switcher engine, in a display of the Port of Long Beach’s industry-leading sustainability initiatives.
