U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other officials participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a $1.5 billion railyard expansion project at the port of Long Beach.
The project, called “America’s Green Gateway,” aims to triple the rail cargo capacity of the port and connect it to 30 major rail hubs across the country.
The big picture: The expansion is expected to streamline rail operations, reduce environmental impact, traffic congestion and air pollution caused by cargo trucks.
- This initiative is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen American supply chains, making them more resilient against future disruptions and addressing challenges experienced during the pandemic.
Driving the news: The port of Long Beach is a major hub for shipping containers, with 40% of all U.S. shipping containers passing through it or the ports of Los Angeles.
- The project received funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Mega Grant Program and is part of the larger $1 trillion infrastructure investment included in a bipartisan law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
What we’re watching: The railyard expansion project is scheduled to be completed by 2032 and will include a depot for fueling and servicing up to 30 trains simultaneously, as well as facilities for assembling and breaking down trains up to 10,000 feet long.
- The expansion will increase the number of rail tracks from 12 to 36 and raise the daily train capacity from seven to 17, contributing to the port’s goal of moving 35% of containers by on-dock rail.
- One train can transport the equivalent of 750 truck trips’ worth of cargo, reducing truck traffic on Interstate 710 and lowering pollution levels in surrounding communities.
