Long Beach port to host Pier B rail facility meeting

The Port of Long Beach will update the public on the status of the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project during a virtual community meeting Sept. 1.

The planned Pier B rail facility is the centerpiece of the port's $1 billion rail capital improvement program, according to a news release.

The facility will shift more cargo to on-dock rail through which containers are taken to and from marine terminals by trains. Moving cargo by on-dock rail is cleaner and more efficient since it reduces truck traffic, port officials said. Instead of cargo trucks visiting the facility, smaller train segments will be joined together there into full-sized trains.

Construction is set to begin in 2023. The first arrival, departure and storage tracks are expected to be completed in 2024, with additional tracks coming online in 2030. The facility is slated for completion in 2032.