Feds solicit comments for Long Beach port's on-dock rail project

Tomorrow, the U.S. Maritime Administration will hold a public scoping meeting to discuss the environmental impact statement (EIS) on the proposed Pier B on-dock rail support facility project at the Port of Long Beach, California.

The administration is preparing an EIS on the project, which calls for reconfiguring, expanding and enhancing the existing Pier B on-dock rail support facility located along Anaheim Street and the 710 Freeway.

The project is designed address current traffic and cargo distribution bottlenecks into, out of and within the port, according to a notice in the Federal Register.

In addition, the project aims to maximize on-dock intermodal operations to reach the long-term goal of 30 percent to 35 percent of cargo containers to be handled by on-dock rail; provide a facility for longer container trains; and provide a cost-effective rail yard.

Members of the public will be able to submit comments on the project during the scoping meeting, which will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the port's interim administrative offices board room. Prior to that meeting, Maritime Administration officials will host an open house from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to explain the project.