Compromise Struck in the Expansion of Port Rail Terminal

LONG BEACH — Harbor commissioners have forged a compromise that would allow a container cargo terminal to expand its rail service, while responding to Long Beach homeowners concerned about an increase in train noise.

The commission approved a plan Monday that would allow the International Transportation Service container terminal to run up to seven trains a week loaded with double stacks of shipping containers out of an expanded rail yard in the port.

But the number of trains running through Long Beach would not increase.

Five of the seven weekly trains would have to use Southern Pacific railroad tracks through Wilmington, Carson and Compton, where fewer residents live near the tracks.

Fewer Truck Trips

Two trains would be allowed to continue on the Union Pacific line that runs through west and north Long Beach. About 15,800 people live within 500 feet of the Union Pacific tracks in the area, compared to about 7,900 people on the Southern Pacific route, according to an environmental impact report prepared by the Port of Long Beach.

The additional trains would reduce the number of truck trips by 1,600 a week on the Long Beach Freeway, harbor officials said.

The compromise depends on the approval of Southern Pacific, which claims that dockside rail service threatens to undercut its modern transfer terminal in Carson. Dockside rail, which allows shippers to load cargo containers directly from ships onto rail cars, is considered a cheaper alternative than hauling containers by truck to a rail yard. Southern Pacific is studying the compromise, a spokesman said.

Sound Walls Wanted

If International Transportation Service fails to reach agreement with Southern Pacific, the harbor commissioners said they would reconsider whether to allow more trains through Long Beach or on the Santa Fe line through the South Bay area. An estimated 25,709 people live within 500 feet of the Santa Fe tracks.

But the commission warned that it would not approve more trains on the Long Beach line without major improvements, such as sound walls and quieter tracks.

City Councilman Warren Harwood, whose North Long Beach district includes a section of the Long Beach rail line, lauded the commission’s decision.

“I feel the Harbor Commission is clearly trying to protect west and north Long Beach from additional trains,” he said.

The compromise is considered a short-term measure. A more permanent solution, port officials say, would be to create a single rail corridor from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles and points east that could be used by all three major railroads.

Central Corridor Plan

The so-called “central corridor” is being coordinated by the Southern California Assn. of Governments, which has a $220-million plan to lay better rail and make other improvements that could speed trains along the route--the same Southern Pacific track.

The Port of Long Beach’s estimated $47.5-million share of the cost would be collected from shippers. Even if the governmental agencies involved can reach agreement, port planners have estimated that the project would take at least five years to become operational.

Harbor Commission President George F. Talin Sr. said he is optimistic about chances of an agreement among the railroad, ports and cities along the rail lines to start construction of a central rail corridor.

“We’ve all got to get our heads together,” he said. “We can accomplish it pretty quickly.”