Long Beach port gets rail facility project back on track

Long Beach port gets rail facility project back on track After numerous false starts and delays, the Port of Long Beach is moving forward with a key rail facility at the port.
   Port officials have issued a notice to proceed for Omaha, Neb.-based architectural and design firm HDR to perform engineering services for the port's Pier B Rail Facility infrastructure program.
   The Pier B Rail Facility is a main component of the port's rail master plan, and when completed will serve as a primary railcar storage and staging facility for the entire port. The $250 million project is anticipated to begin in 2012 with a completion date in 2016.
   Components of the projects include:
   * Realigning the port's Pier B Street to accommodate new yard tracks.
   * Constructing about 80,000 feet of new tracks.
   * Designing classification yard facilities and/or a potential near-dock intermodal container transfer facility.
   * Conducting feasibility studies, alternative analysis and preliminary engineering for potential grade separations.
   In addition to engineering services, HDR will perform sustainable-design and technology studies on the overall project.
   HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm with more than 6,200 professionals in 145 locations worldwide. With more than 500 employees in 10 offices in California, the firm is consistently rated as one of the nation's top design firms.