California Construction News staff writer
Jacobs has been awarded a contract to provide construction management for the Port of Long Beach’s Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, a multibillion-dollar project aimed at boosting cargo efficiency and reducing environmental impacts.
The rail yard expansion is a centerpiece of the port’s $2.2 billion capital program and will more than double its size from 82 to 171 acres. Once complete, the project will more than triple the port’s on-dock rail capacity, enabling it to handle up to 4.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo annually.
Port officials say the expansion will reduce truck traffic, cut emissions and improve air quality in nearby communities.
“As one of the busiest ports in the United States and a major entry point for goods, the Port of Long Beach plays a significant role in international trade and the economy,” said Eva Wood, Jacobs executive vice president. “Jacobs’ experience in managing large-scale infrastructure projects will deliver enhancements at the port that will expedite cargo movement, reduce shipping costs and contribute to a more resilient supply chain.”
The Pier B facility is scheduled for completion in 2032. The port estimates the project will generate more than 1,000 local jobs and support health and environmental initiatives.
“The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility embodies the core values of the Port of Long Beach, allowing more cargo to move through our marine terminals with greater efficiency and less impacts on the community,” said port CEO Mario Cordero. “It is also an enormous undertaking with ten construction contracts to manage. Jacobs has demonstrated its qualifications to help us accommodate this peak workflow, and we’re pleased to work with the company to build this new gateway for the nation’s container cargo.”
Jacobs, ranked No. 2 in program management by Engineering News-Record, has worked on several major infrastructure efforts, including the Port of San Francisco Waterfront Resilience Program and multiple projects at the Port of Long Beach.
