JOC Staff | Mar 08, 2013 10:42AM EST
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has certified the final environmental impact report for the proposed Southern California International Gateway intermodal railyard, setting the stage for construction of the rail infrastructure project.
The near-dock rail container transfer facility represents a private investment of more than $500 million by BNSF Railway, which plans to develop and operate the intermodal railyard on a 185-acre site about four miles north of the San Pedro Bay port complex.
Construction is set to begin later this year, and the railyard is scheduled to open in 2016. Initially, SCIG is expected to handle approximately 570,800 20-foot-equivalent units. By 2035, SCIG is projected to handle a maximum of 2.8 million TEUs.
BNSF Railway applauded the commissioners’ decision to recommend approval of the SCIG project. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to review and vote on the project in the near future.