Port of Long Beach awards two key contracts for on-dock rail project

The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners last month approved two key contracts related to the construction of the port's on-dock rail support yard.

The board awarded a $38.75 million contract to HDR Engineering Inc. for engineering design services and a $17.5 million contract to Hill International Inc. for program management services.

Under its five-year agreement, the engineering firm's services will include program-level design; utility, geotechnical and right-of-way analysis and planning; development of specifications for the first phase of rail improvements and the realignment of Pier B Street; and support work ensuring the facility is designed and built to maximize on-dock rail use and efficiency.

Under Hill's five-year pact, the firm will assist the California port with multiple administrative tasks including project management, design review, risk management, permitting, managing the program’s schedule, budget, costs and progress, and business relocation and property acquisition.

The Pier B on-dock rail support yard will reconfigure, expand and enhance the existing rail facility located southwest of West Anaheim Street and the 710 Freeway. When completed, the $870 million, 171-acre rail facility will be a full-service staging area for storing, sorting and assembling trains up to 10,000 feet long.

"Modernizing Pier B will allow our marine container terminals to move more cargo seamlessly from the docks to their destinations in America’s heartland," said Board President Tracy Egoscue in a press release.