Port of Los Angeles completes rail extension

“This US$73 million rail project will increase cargo efficiency while reducing emissions -- a cornerstone of the port’s blueprint for sustainable growth,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “Advancing capital improvement initiatives like this are key to ensuring the Port remains competitive.”

“Thanks to the Port's significant investment in rail infrastructure, APM Terminals will be able to handle increased volumes of intermodal cargo with greater efficiency across a wider variety of inland locations," said Jon Poelma, Managing Director of APM Terminals Los Angeles Pier 400. “This strategic upgrade enhances the Port of LA's attractiveness as a gateway for cargo owners who rely on fast, efficient, and well-connected supply chains to serve their customers.”

By increasing use of the Pier 400 on-dock rail yard, the project will in turn create additional rail capacity for all Port of Los Angeles terminal operators. The rail yard serves as critical link between the San Pedro Bay port complex and the Alameda Corridor, which carries about 10% of all waterborne containers entering and exiting the US.

As rail demand increases, the expanded rail yard is projected to eliminate an estimated 1200 truck trips per day by 2040.

Construction of the upgraded, expanded intermodal rail storage yard near the container terminal operated by APM Terminals began in 2021. The project added 31 000 ft of track with five new railroad storage tracks, a concrete rail bridge with lighting, an asphalt access roadway, new crossovers and turnouts, and modifications to the compressed air system.

Work also included the relocation of a portion of the lead track onto Port of Los Angeles property, realignment of the track connection to the rail storage yard, modifications to Reeves Avenue, and relocation of the at-grade crossing from Nimitz Avenue to Reeves Avenue.

Construction was completed by contractors Herzog/Stacy and Witbeck Joint Venture.

The Port received US$21.6 million in grant funding from the California Trade Corridor Enhancement Programme (TCEP), which funds improving freight corridors in the State. The Port funded the remaining cost of nearly US$51.6 million.

Rail projects such as this, support California’s larger sustainable freight and mobility goals and meet federal and state grant requirements for major transportation projects to improve air quality, spur job growth, ease congestion, and benefit disadvantaged and low-income communities.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/rail-barge/11072024/port-of-los-angeles-completes-rail-extension/