Setting the Pace with Rail Access at San Pedro Bay Ports

The San Pedro Bay Ports (SPB) of Long Beach and Los Angeles together with the Class I railroads have invested significant capital to ensure their rail systems have capacity to handle international cargo volumes. As these cargo volumes grow, the SPB Ports and railroads must ensure that shippers are provided with a reliable rail system with adequate capacity. The SPB Ports performed a Portwide Rail Study in 2000 to understand the supply chain implications of rail transport and to develop the Rail Enhancement Program (REP), which sets forth rail improvements within their ports that will be necessary to maintain performance as cargo volumes grow through the year 2035. The Portwide Rail Study has been updated quinquennially to reflect the most recent economic conditions and cargo forecasts, changing cargo logistics and the status of on-going rail improvements. Implementation of the $2 billion REP has progressed in recent years, but significant projects must still be accomplished.