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Last week, Los Angeles' harbor commission approved a first-ever "Port of Los Angeles Rail Policy" designed to increase rail usage at the port and promote the development of additional rail facilities to accommodate increasing cargo volume.

The port currently operates five on- and near-dock rail facilities, and is a partner in the 20-mile Alameda Corridor, which connects the ports of L.A. and Long Beach with downtown rail yards.

"Trade at the port is expected to quadruple by 2025 and our current infrastructure simply cannot handle this type of growth," said Janice Hahn, L.A. councilwoman and Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority chairman, in a prepared statement. "We must find a way to get these containers off our roads [and] increased rail use is the best solution to efficiently moving goods throughout the region while also improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion."

During a 30-day public comment period on a policy draft, port officials received positive comments from railroads and other companies, the officials said.

"I agree 1,000 percent with more rail use," said Port Commissioner Tom Warren. "With the rail policy to guide port staff, there is no question that rail will continue to play a large role in moving cargo at the Port of Los Angeles."