Union Pacific will modify its Intermodal Container Transfer Facility near the Port of Los Angeles, which will eliminate an estimated 500,000 truck trips annually on Los Angeles-area highways.
The modified facility will load and unload nearly all Los Angeles Basin international marine containers not handled on dock, eliminating the need to truck international containers to other Los Angeles-area intermodal ramps by highway.
International containers still will make the four-mile trip from the port to Union Pacific’s facility via truck. However, once at the facility, international containers will be transferred to rail cars for dispatch via the Alameda Corridor to destinations throughout the United States.
The region’s residents have expressed concern about additional congestion and pollution resulting from truck traffic generated by the busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, especially on Interstate 710. High-profile truck accidents in recent years have increased complaints.
The railroad and port are considering expanding the Union Pacific facility to handle an expected 1.6 million marine containers annually at San Pedro Bay ports, according to a Union Pacific statement.
