Port of Long Beach Pier G Terminal: Terminal Rail Operation Efficiency Enhancement and Wharf Structural Integrity Improvements

The Pier G Terminal Rail Operation Efficiency Enhancement and Wharf Structural Integrity Improvements Project at the Port of Long Beach (POLB), through collaboration, coordination, and innovative design accomplished the following objectives: 1. restored operational efficiency, previously impaired for terminal rail operations on the Metro bulk loading terminal, where they no longer could run around the railyard on the mainline tracks; 2. provided innovative retrofit repair of a crack in the concrete wharf structure; 3. minimal disruption of terminal operations during construction through a well-planned program requiring collaboration and flexibility in construction schedules to accommodate the dynamic schedules of train unloading and ship loading. The design team developed a plan to eliminate the terminal operator’s use of the mainline tracks to run around the rail yard for access to the head end of the rail cars by constructing an 870-ft long lead track between POLB’s mainline tracks and the rail yard. The team developed a simulation model of rail operations to demonstrate and confirm the benefits of the proposed track modifications in the project planning stage to obtain support for the project from the terminal operators and stakeholders. Another aspect of the project involved an innovative repair of a longitudinal crack, approximately 1,200 feet in length, on the existing reinforced concrete wharf structure. The repair restored the structural integrity of the wharf structure. One of the primary project accomplishments involved creative response measures and procedures addressing frequent schedule alterations for the highly dynamic train and ship schedules during construction. The bid documents outlined likely encountered issues during construction and established reactive procedures to accomplish the construction with minimal impacts to the terminal’s operations and productivity. Despite the scheduling challenges and other difficulties at the site, construction was accomplished with efficiency and without visual loss in productivity for the terminal operators.