ASCE Los Angeles Section

Long Beach, California

The Green Port Gateway Rail Project realigns a critical rail pathway to improve efficiency and sustainability of cargo movement within the Port of Long Beach. The project includes 30,000 linear feet of new track, the construction of new retaining walls, utility line modifications, roadway improvements, and the construction of a new rail support yard to serve the new Middle Harbor terminal, one of the most technologically advanced and greenest marine terminals in the world.

“The Green Port Gateway Rail Project serves as a model for successful implementation for goods movement projects. The project began construction in November 2012 and reached substantial completion two years later in March 2015. Since project completion, average on-dock rail use in the project area has increased from 18.3 percent in 2011 to 28.2 percent (October to December 2015). This increase speaks to the effectiveness of the project and is particularly favorable given that the Port of Long Beach is currently moving more containers than in 2011.

The Green Port Gateway Rail Project is a major component of the Port’s $1 billion visionary rail modernization program aimed at strengthening intermodal freight infrastructure and reducing port-related impacts to the environment. Through collaboration with partner agencies, the Port of Long Beach adopted the innovative Green Port Policy in 2006 and continues to expand efforts in reducing the impact of goods movement on human health and the environment. Since 2005, the Port has cut diesel particulate matter emissions by 82 percent, and improved air quality in the harbor area every year since implementation of the Green Port Policy.

The $93 million Green Port Gateway Rail Project enhances on-dock rail capacity through the realignment of tracks and roadway, the addition of about 30,000 feet of new track, and the construction of a new rail support yard to serve Middle Harbor, one of the world’s most technologically advanced and greenest marine terminals. Aside from using all electric cranes and automated guided vehicles, the Middle Harbor terminal will improve the utilization of on-dock rail, which reduces truck trips by moving containers directly from the terminal facility onto rail. By planning for increased reliance of on-dock rail, the Port of Long Beach has been able to further integrate environmental sustainability principles into goods movement, seeking to improve air quality and traffic congestion. The Port of Long Beach aims to achieve 35 percent on-dock rail to significantly reduce truck traffic and diesel air pollution, minimize derailments and optimize rail traffic flow.”

“The project is a cornerstone of the Port’s mission to improve competitiveness and efficiency, while reducing air pollution by allowing cargo containers to be rail-hauled directly to and from marine terminals. As part of the Middle Harbor redevelopment, the Green Port Gateway Rail Project received broad public and environmental group support because of its job-creating ability and capacity to improve air quality and vehicle congestion. The Port also conducted public outreach through community meetings to inform the public about the project and its associated benefits.

The $93.4 million Green Port Gateway rail project was made possible through federal and state grant funding partnerships totaling $40.1 million. The project was identified as project of national and state significance due project’s critical role in reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions. The US Department of Transportation and United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) provided $17 million in TIGER III funds, and the California Transportation Commission (CTC) and Caltrans provided $23.1 million from the state’s Proposition 1B Trade Corridor Improvement Fund (TCIF).

The Green Port Gateway Rail Project has been selected for the 2016 “Implementation Award by a Large Jurisdiction” from the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Chapter.”

“For the Green Port Gateway project video, please access the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq3HZXKwZ-s”

The $93 million Green Port Gateway Rail Project enhances on-dock rail capacity through the realignment of tracks and roadway, the addition of about 30,000 feet of new track, and the construction of a new rail support yard to serve Middle Harbor, one of the world’s most technologically advanced and greenest marine terminals.

The $93 million Green Port Gateway Rail Project at the Port of Long Beach enhances on-dock rail capacity through the realignment of tracks and roadway, the addition of about 30,000 feet of new track, and the construction of a new rail support yard to serve Middle Harbor, one of the world’s most technologically advanced and greenest marine terminals. Aside from using all electric cranes and automated guided vehicles, the Middle Harbor terminal will improve the utilization of on-dock rail, which reduces truck trips by moving containers directly from the terminal facility onto rail. By planning for increased reliance of on-dock rail, the Port of Long Beach is integrating environmental sustainability principles into goods movement, seeking to improve air quality and traffic congestion. The Port of Long Beach aims to achieve 35 percent on-dock rail to significantly reduce truck traffic and diesel air pollution, minimize derailments and optimize rail traffic flow.