Long Beach awards US$36.8m rail upgrade

Funding for the project is covered entirely by federal and state sources, including US$17m from the US Department of Transportation’s TIGER III (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program and US$31.75m from California’s ‘Proposition 1B’ transportation measure.

Construction is expected to start this November and will continue until July 2014. The work entails the demolition and removal of existing tracks, laying 8,787 metres (29,000 ft) of new tracks and building 1,818 m (6,000 ft) retaining walls. The improvements are designed to minimise derailments and optimise rail traffic flow to and from waterfront terminals.

Green Port Gateway is the first of four projects the port expects will begin over the next year to enhance its on-dock rail. It is also part of the San Pedro Bay Ports Rail Enhancement program, which includes projects undertaken by the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority.