The Port of Long Beach has been awarded a US$14 million grant to help pay for construction of a planned rail project which will increase efficiency and reduce congestion.

According to the port, the grant is from the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, which helps pay for improvements to freight corridors across California using designated transportation funds from Senate Bill 1 and the National Highway Freight Program.

The port will contribute the remaining US$11 million for the US$25 million project, which aims to increase operational efficiency, reduce delays by providing greater reliability for on-dock rail and decrease roadway congestion by shifting more containers to rail.

“Moving goods by rail is four times more efficient than by truck, so this project would enhance our operational excellence and environmental sustainability,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

The project will add a new 9,000-foot departure track for trains serving four of Long Beach’s six container terminals, allowing for better utilization of the on-dock rail yards at Piers G and J by enabling them to simultaneously handle arriving and departing trains. The project will also minimize conflict with on-dock rail operations at neighbouring terminals and improve overall safety in the vicinity.

The project is scheduled to start construction by the end of 2019 and be completed by mid-2021, expanding on-dock rail usage by approximately 157,000 TEUs annually while reducing the need for 615 daily truck trips.

“The Harbor Commission welcomes the grant, which helps to modernize the port and strengthen its ability to contribute to the regional and state economy,” said Tracy Egoscue, president of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.

The project is part of a US$1 billion rail infrastructure capital improvement programme, according to the Port of Long Beach.