Current Projects - About

SR-47 Expressway - Phase 1

The Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement and SR-47 Expressway project is divided into two segments. Phase 1 is the replacement of the seismically-deficient Schuyler Heim bridge with a new safer fixed-span bridge. The Project is being advanced through a joint partnership between Caltrans and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA), pursuant to cooperative agreements with Caltrans. ACTA performed planning, design, property acquisition, utility relocation coordination, design support during construction, and environmental mitigation oversight.

Phase 2 provides an expressway connection between the north side of the Heim Bridge and Alameda Street at Pacific Coast Highway.

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Benefits

Replaces the seismically-deficient Schuyler Heim moveable bridge with a new safer fixed bridge
Increased capacity, the new bridge has three traffic lanes and a shoulder in both directions
Improves truck traffic in and out of the Ports terminals and provides direct access to the UPRR’s ICTF Intermodal Yard

Status

The Schuyler Heim Bridge was opened for operation in September 2020 and completed in March 2021.

Historical Note

The original Commodore Schuyler Heim Bridge was completed in 1948 and was a joint effort with a partnership of the United States Navy, Caltrans and the City of Long Beach. Surplus concrete and steel that was earmarked for the War effort was redirected to build the Heim Bridge. At the time, the Heim Bridge was the tallest vertical lift bridge in the western United States. The bridge was dedicated to Commodore Schuyler Heim, Commandant of the Naval Air Station on Terminal Island. He is credited for shepherding the funding and construction of the bridge before and after World War II.

SR-47 Expressway - Phase 2

Phase 2 of the SR-47 Expressway provides an expressway connection from the north side of the Heim Bridge to Alameda Street at Pacific Coast Highway, which will enable traffic to bypass signalized intersections as well as remove five at-grade rail crossings. The Project also is also intended to divert traffic and reduce congestion on the I-710 and I-110 Freeways.

Benefits

Creates an elevated expressway from the SR47 Expressway, connector from Terminal Island in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the Alameda Corridor and other major highways
Enhanced mobility on local freeways
Diverts trucks from local arterials, commercial and residential areas
Facilitates future improvements to the Long Beach I-710 Freeway
Eliminates conflicts at 5 at-grade rail crossings and 3 signalized traffic intersections

Status

Phase 2 of the SR-47 Expressway has been postponed indefinitely pending further evaluation of demand, benefits, costs and funding.

Cerritos Channel Rail Bridge Expansion

The San Pedro Bay Rail Study indicates the need for modifications to the existing rail bridge crossing the Cerritos Channel, which is known as Badger Bridge. The proposed modifications include reducing bridge lifts and adding tracks to provide enough capacity to meet demand. In addition to improving throughput capacity, the existing bridge requires seismic retrofitting if it remains in its current configuration.

Reducing bridge lifts can be accomplished by keeping the bridge in down position except for emergencies, locking the bridge down or replacing the bridge with a causeway. This project is currently envisioned as a new moveable rail bridge to add track capacity to and from Terminal Island, as well as the seismic retrofitting of the existing Badger Rail Bridge. A preliminary seismic analysis was completed for the existing bridge.

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Benefits

Meet demand for rail capacity to/from Terminal Island rail yards.
Reduce locomotive idling and emissions caused by bridge bottleneck delays.
Reduce truck traffic on local and regional highways by handling more cargo on rail.

Status

The Cerritos Channel Rail Bridge Expansion has been deferred indefinitely pending agreements with US Coast Guard, and further evaluation of demand, benefits, costs and funding.

Historical Note

The rail bridge across Cerritos Channel has a long history. A bascule bridge was built in 1924 to accommodate vehicle and rail traffic to Terminal Island. The bridge was adjacent to the Henry Ford Long Beach Plant that arrived in the 1930’s. The Port of Los Angeles replaced the two-track bascule bridge (one for freight) with a two-track vertical lift bridge in 1996.

Pier B Rail Yard

The Pier B Rail Yard Project is a major project under development by the Port of Long Beach in coordination with ACTA. The project provides essential support to on-dock rail operations and aims to meet the environmental goals outlined in the 2017, ‘San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan’ and the San Pedro Bay Rail Study and Updates.

Support rail yards strive to have length-of-train arrival/departure tracks to chamber trains coming off of and waiting to leave on the Alameda Corridor, as well as storage tracks to hold shorter portions of trains (blocks or cuts of railcars). There are a number of reasons that Pier B Rail Yard is vital to on-dock operations:

Benefits

Moving more cargo by on-dock rail minimizes the number of trucks on the road easing traffic and curtailing emissions.
Arriving trains made up of blocks for multiple on-dock yards can be classified at the support yard for distribution to the individual on-docks.
Stored blocks of outbound railcars from various terminals can be combined into a destination specific train (block swapping).
Holding bare tables (empty rail cars) at the storage tracks allows management of the individual bare table inventories of each Class I railroad.
A locomotive service facility at Pier B would be an efficient location to provide the requisite fueling and crew change capability.

Status

In the design phase with on-going property acquisition, utility coordination and pre-construction efforts.
An early start phase of construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.
The design of the first construction project, Pier B Rail Yard East expansion, was completed in early spring and the POLB Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the contractor and a Notice to Proceed was given on August 26, 2024.
The second design package, Pier B Early Rail Locomotive Facility Project, and one that affects the Alameda Corridor went out for bids in June 2024 and a Notice to Proceed is expected in January 2025.
The completion of the 100% Design Package for the Dominguez Channel Bridge Widening is expected in October 2024 with a bid date of December 2027 and a Notice to Proceed expected in June 2028. This project will have significant impacts to the Alameda Corridor during construction.