Being new to this board, I'm not sure if this topic has been discussed or even brought up, but there are changes coming to the SoCal area regarding railroading that may indeed effect other areas of the country. Current situation: Tractor trailers are currently driving in and out on LA Freeways to both the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. This is doing nothing but causing more traffic congestion and causing an already intense situation by filling freeways with tons of rigs daily, so shipping goods from China and the rest of the world can reach our retail stores in the rest of the states. After all… we do like our Big Screens and cheap what nots! Proposed fix: An Inland Sea Port. This is going to be built in Moreno Valley CA. It is outside of the Los Angeles populous, just to the east, next to the 215 Freeway with both the I-10 and I-40 in close proximity to the north. So far, both BNSF and Union Pacific are players in transporting goods from both ports via rail to the Inland Empire Sea Port in Moreno Valley. It was stated that 20,000 immediate jobs will be created at the Inland Sea Port, not to mention the many vendor and supplier jobs. Big rig trucks will then line up at the receiving docks to transport the goods, hitting the less congested 215 Freeway, heading north up to the I-10 or I-40 Interstate, then head east to the rest of the country. Proposed issues: There is an already existing inland sea port at issue. It however, can't keep up with the current shipping and receiving work load that's generated from both ports. People are also saying that people are getting sick, including kids, from all of the air pollution from the massive daily influx of trucks and locomotives. A study was done and people living near the BNSF yard in San Bernardino were also referenced and their health issues. Bottom line: This IS coming to Moreno Valley California! Like it or don't! This will change the face of railroading for the east coast and possibly the Texas ports as well. As a rail fan there will be more and newer traffic to eye and see here SoCal! I will try to provide links to back up what I'm saying soon if there is any interest regarding this thread!
Inland ports have been created and they do work. And I am certain many truckers would be very happy to avoid the congested areas.
That seems to be the point. I think everybody will be happy… accept those living in the area… but they can always move… right!?
Or get lawyers and muck things up badly, costing time and money. Sometimes things change. There is a highway being built just outside of my neighborhood, to bypass the congested downtown. Whether or not I like it, it's happening. I doubt it will work as dreamed, as they have made one big mistake. But probably by next summer, we'll be hearing that traffic roaring past.
All these comments are interresting, but speaking of the future Inland Sea Port of Moreno Valley, I don't understand what it's gonna solve: as far as I know no ship coming from sea is able to go beyond the shore ( ) and this future Inland Sea Port will be ~100 miles from the closest tide and waves. So in my mind, the problem remains genuine: how will the goods be shipped from ships to over there with any other mean of transportation than something burning diesel fuel, whichever these things run on tires or on flanged steel wheel? Dom
California will have to realize they cannot keep building roads expecting them to relieve congestion. Chicago found that out long ago during the 1st Mayor Daley. In fact a major highway project was cancelled(the Crosstown Expressway) and the funds diverted to the creation of the Orange Line rapid transit (L-in Chicago parlance).The Orange Line was immensely successful from the get-go. Charlie
Freight will still need to be trucked between the two points. This moves the gathering point and distribution away from the coast. And does divert some traffic away from those two named waterfronts.
IF they're going to move it by rail to the Inland Port, why not just keep it on rail to the other end of its journey, say to a truck transfer point within 50 miles of destination?
OK, but I've difficulties to understand how it's gonna save pollution and congestion, compared to what exists today, as many of the goods are loaded on trains (that now run in the 20-mile semi-underground joint BNSF/UP corridor) from/to Long Beach Harbor. But maybe I'm still missing some data. Dom
You guys are missing it. The congestion is trucks trying to get out of Long Beach./San Pedro through already over congested highways. But shorthauling container traffic by train to San Moreno, fewer trucks will be in this corridor. San Mareno has more space and less congestion. Transfers to trucking for short haul around SoCal etc is easier, faster and less polluting. Traffic destined cross country isn't part of this.
