U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta last week hailed the opening of California’s Alameda Corridor, a $2.4 billion intermodal project
that will significantly enhance the flow of trade in southern California and improve mobility in the Los Angeles metro area.
“International trade is a vital component of our nation’s economy and a major segment California’s economy,” Mineta said. “The Alameda Corridor will help the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach accommodate the increasing trade growth in the future while helping our national economy capitalize on southern California’s standing as a major trade hub of the Pacific Rim.”
Mineta said that the corridor will also improve safety and enhance mobility in the Los Angeles area by concentrating rail and truck traffic within the corridor, preventing delays in auto and truck traffic.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, also known as the San Pedro Bay ports, represent the third largest port complex in the world. About one-quarter of all U.S. waterborne international trade depends on the ports to reach market.
The Alameda Corridor improves rail and highway access to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach by consolidating rail service parallel to Alameda and improving Alameda Streets. The corridor runs from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles about 20 miles to downtown Los Angeles, there connecting to major transcontinental rail lines. The corridor also eliminates or minimizes 200 at-grade crossings.