Padilla Announces Over $280 Million Federal Investment in Port of Long Beach

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) Dec. 18 announced the Port of Long Beach was awarded more than $283 million to complete the final phase of the Pier B on-dock rail support facility by expanding the north and south rail yards. The grant — awarded through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance or Mega program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — is expected to increase overall rail network capacity at the port, prevent supply chain backlogs, improve air quality and bolster California and national economic growth.

The Pier B Project will double the existing rail yard and expects to support the movement of three times as much on-dock rail cargo while creating an estimated 13,000 jobs nationally, including 1,135 jobs in local disadvantaged communities. This expansion matches the scale of investment needed to meet California and the Biden Administration’s climate goals. Increased rail capacity is estimated to reduce over 5 million truck trips and 100 million truck vehicle miles per year, cutting harmful emissions.

The north rail yard expansion includes the construction of two new mainline tracks, five new 10,000-foot receiving and departure tracks, and 26 new storage tracks. The south rail yard expansion will add seven new 3,000-foot storage tracks, lengthen and rehabilitate seven existing 3,000-foot storage tracks, construct two new tracks in the Pico Avenue rail corridor, reconfigure tracks near Pier D St. and construct a new compressed air facility.