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Los Angeles-area residents, community leaders and port officials spoke, and BNSF Railway Co. executives listened. The railroad plans to make several environmentally friendly changes to its proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) near-dock facility based on feedback from hundreds of stakeholders.

To reduce air emissions, BNSF will use electric cranes, liquefied natural gas yard tractors and generator-set or battery-powered switchers. In addition, trucks serving SCIG will be limited to traveling on specified non-residential routes and be equipped with Global Positioning System devices to monitor and enforce compliance.

The railroad also will plant trees at the site to improve air quality and aesthetics, and fund the construction of a sound wall east of the facility to diminish freeway noise.

“We are adding several important features to make SCIG the greenest rail facility in the United States,” said BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Rose in a prepared statement.

With trade flowing through the ports of L.A. and Long Beach expected to double by 2020, SCIG will provide additional near-dock capacity and direct access to the 20-mile Alameda Corridor between the ports and downtown L.A., BNSF said.