Community Corner
LB Port Receives Funds for Rail Project
The Port of Long Beach received $17 million for the Green Port Gateway Project.
The Port of Long Beach was awarded $17 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for a rail project, one that officials say will assist in diverting cargo from dirty trucks to cleaner trains.
The Green Port Gateway Project is set to break ground in 2012 and involves laying a few miles of tracks to relieve a "choke point'' at a crossing near Ocean Boulevard and the Long Beach 710 Freeway.
The project is expected to create 340 construction jobs, officials say.
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"This project will not only bring jobs, which are critical during these tough economic times, but also enhance both our region's and the nation's long-term economic competitiveness by improving the Port's rail system,'' Port Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle said.
The $66 million project is part of the larger San Pedro Bay Ports Rail Enhancement Program. The project will eliminate an estimated 2.3 million truck trips by 2035, officials said.
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The Port has secured an additional $27 million in state funding for the project.
--With reports from City News Service
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