Paid in part with state and federal funds, the $93 million Green Port Gateway project solves a critical part of managing cargo growth for the nation’s second-busiest seaport by adding a third track on the southeast side of the port to ease bottlenecks, officials said.

The new nearly 6-mile track near Ocean Boulevard serves the Long Beach Container Terminal, International Transportation Service and Pacific Container Terminal, which combined handle half of the cargo that flows through the port complex.

The project also supports Middle Harbor, a new mega-terminal capable of handling 3 million container units and involved rebuilding part of Harbor Scenic Drive and 6,000 feet of retaining wall.

The rail project allows the Port of Long Beach to meet its near-term goal of moving cargo by on-dock rail by 35 percent and eventually by 50 percent.

http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150916/long-beach-port-project-means-more-cargo-by-rail-less-by-trucks