Proposed Pier B rail facility would move cargo more efficiently
Pier B at the Port of Long Beach.The Port of Long Beach will hold a second public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 18, to gather input on a draft environmental study for a proposal that would increase the use of “on-dock” trains, moving cargo more efficiently while making operations more sustainable. The hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Port Interim Administrative Offices, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive in Long Beach. The public is welcome to submit comments on the draft EIR, which was released in December. Prior to the hearing, at 5:30 p.m., the Port will host an open house providing educational displays and information regarding the Port's overall rail strategy. The proposed Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility could shift more cargo to “on-dock rail,” where containers are placed directly on trains at marine terminals, significantly reducing trips by trucks throughout the region. No trucks would visit the facility. Instead, smaller train segments would be brought to the facility and joined together into a full-sized train. The rail yard would be operated by Pacific Harbor Line, which provides short haul rail transportation switching services, railroad track maintenance and train dispatching services under contract to the Port. Pacific Harbor Line is the first railroad in the nation that has converted its entire fleet to clean diesel locomotives that reduce air pollution and save fuel. To view a project fact sheet, view the draft EIR and see a video about the proposed facility, go to www.polb.com/PierB. The draft EIR analyzes the impacts of the proposed development, and the mitigation measures that would be used to address those impacts. The Port welcomes comment on the study through Feb. 13, 2017.  Comments can be made in person at the public hearing or sent in writing to Heather Tomley, Director of Environmental Planning, 4801 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815 or [email protected].