A member of President Biden’s Cupboard joined native officers Thursday to tout a $1.5-billion rail yard challenge on the Port of Lengthy Seaside, which begins building this summer season to increase rail storage capability, accommodate extra trains and cut back emissions.
Roughly $643 million has been granted for the challenge by native, state and federal companies, together with a mega-grant of roughly $283 million from the Division of Transportation. The rest will likely be equipped by port income and, officers hope, extra grant funding.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, native lawmakers and port officers arrived at a ceremonial groundbreaking on a practice pulled by an electrical locomotive. They addressed a crowd of about 400 attendees that included port employees, union employees, native politicians and state representatives.
“This work builds a rail community on the port that greater than triples the amount of cargo that may transfer by rail to just about 5 million containers a yr — the type of throughput that may maintain America’s financial system buzzing and maintain prices down with advantages in each a part of this nation,” Buttigieg mentioned.
The growth will enhance the present Pier B rail yard from 82 acres to 171 and can run alongside components of the 710 Freeway. The challenge, which will likely be constructed in segments, is predicted to be completed in 2032.
The port’s chief govt, Mario Cordero, and others mentioned the challenge could have long-term results on Lengthy Seaside and its neighboring Port of Los Angeles, which collectively account for roughly 40% of U.S. container imports from Asia.
“Should you speak to the shoppers — the shippers and the stakeholders — that is one gateway,” Cordero mentioned of the ports. “It’s paramount that we maximize how we collaborate.”
The Port of Los Angeles not too long ago accomplished a $73-million rail growth challenge to equally enhance cargo circulation and cut back emissions.
Cordero mentioned the Lengthy Seaside challenge will assist decongest surrounding neighborhoods and the 710 Freeway by permitting trains to maneuver extra shortly by the realm to cut back greenhouse gasoline emissions — a purpose pushed by group advocates.
“We’re doing all we will to then deal with the environmental strain,” he mentioned.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Lengthy Seaside), who has adopted the challenge since he was Lengthy Seaside mayor, believes it is going to create jobs and enhance air high quality.
“That is going to be transformational — it’s the only largest inexperienced port challenge in the US,” he mentioned.
