Freight Rail

The bridges will be built over the Union Pacific tracks where many cut through for a reprieve from the area’s busy arterials

The Arts District of downtown Los Angeles is now a vibrant residential community. But the signs of its warehouse past are everywhere. Abandoned railroad spurs, peeking up from the asphalt and running down old brick streets, speak volumes about bad public policies and metrics that, even as LA struggles to rebuild its once-great transit system, persist in too much of its bureaucracy. That's exemplified in two 710 freeway studies released by Caltrans and Metro.

After the controversial project's FEIR was unanimously approved by the Port of L.A.'s Board of Harbor Commissioners--and subsequently formally appealed by the city of Long Beach and multiple community groups--many within the Long Beach communities near the project felt dejected. For despite thousands of comments raising concerns about air quality, noise pollution, increased traffic, and a decrease in living standards, along with a host of evidence from opposing groups pointing out multiple holes in the EIR, it still sailed through with flying colors.

In what is undoubtedly a controversial decision--not to mention an utterly disheartening one as well for the multitude of community groups and leaders who opposed the project--the Harbor Board of Commissioners for the Port of Los Angeles voted unanimously to approve the building of the $500 million Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) rail yard. It will now go before the Los Angeles City Council for final approval.

The Silverado Park Community Center was packed wall-to-wall for 7th District Councilmember James Johnson's Do-It-Yourself public hearing regarding the proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) railyard project. The hearing followed a denial from the Port of Los Angeles to include a meeting in Long Beach for Long Beachers.

Following the public hearing organized by the Port of Los Angeles (POLA) nearly two weeks ago regarding the proposed Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) railyard by BNSF, Long Beach Councilmember James Johnson has decided to take matters into his own hands--literally.

New environmental documents for a freight rail project near the Port of Los Angeles known as the Southern California International Gateway could reduce truck traffic on the Long Beach to Los Angeles portion of the 710 Freeway.  But the SCIG Project faces strong opposition from the communities that will live adjacent to the 153 acre SCIG rail yard who fear the new rail yard endangers their very lives.

In a recent interview with the Journal of Commerce, Transportation Chair John Mica (R-FL) indicated that he shares many transportation goals with the Obama administration.