(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on September 2, 2009.)
This month, the Port of Long Beach, Calif., will hold several public hearings to review a proposal aimed at increasing the use of on-dock trains and reducing the number of local truck trips in the region.
The port plans to build an on-dock rail support facility to reduce train bottlenecks and boost on-dock rail usage. Loading and unloading cargo within the port will significantly reduce regional short-haul truck trips, port officials said in a prepared statement.
The facility would potentially redevelop and expand an existing rail support facility in the vicinity of 9th Street and Pier B Avenue, according to the port. Including new tracks, the facility would stretch from the Alameda Corridor to Ocean Boulevard.
The port has released a “notice of preparation,” the first step in launching an environmental review process for the on-dock facility. Port officials are soliciting public comments for a draft environmental impact report.