Port of Long Beach to close crossing to improve rail operations

The Port of Long Beach has planned an operational closure of a grade crossing in West Long Beach, California, next year as part of an effort to improve rail operations at the port.

The closure will occur on 9th Street where it crosses tracks near Pico Avenue in the harbor district of West Long Beach starting March 9, 2019, port officials said in a press release.

Closing the crossing is necessary to allow longer trains to move cargo faster and more efficiently via on-dock rail, they said. The crossing will open only for oversized trucks with special permits at appointed times.

Port, commuter and local traffic will use other routes around the closed section of 9th Street. Oversize and overweight cargo will be shifted to other routes.