Port of Long Beach, California, August 16, 2025
News Summary
Jacobs has been awarded the program-level construction management role for the Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility at the Port of Long Beach. The Pier B program will expand the rail yard from 82 to 171 acres, more than tripling on‑dock rail capacity to support up to 4.7 million TEUs annually. The contract will coordinate ten construction packages covering wharf work, backland development and an administration building, with centralized environmental compliance and weekly coordination to limit disruption at the active port. The program is expected to create over 1,000 local construction jobs and improve cargo flow while reducing truck trips and emissions.
Jacobs to manage construction of Port of Long Beach Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility expansion
A Dallas‑based contractor has been awarded the construction management role for a major rail yard expansion at the Port of Long Beach. The contract value was not disclosed, but the Pier B program is a cornerstone of the port’s $2.2 billion capital plan. Work on the project is expected to wrap up by 2032.
What the project will do
The Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility will transform the port’s existing rail yard from 82 acres to 171 acres, an expansion widely described as roughly doubling the yard’s footprint. The upgrade is expected to more than triple on‑dock rail capacity and enable handling of up to 4.7 million TEUs annually. The work aims to move more cargo by rail, reduce truck traffic, lower emissions and improve air quality in nearby communities.
Who is involved
The Port of Long Beach, the nation’s No. 2 container port, selected Jacobs to provide program‑level construction management services. The port handles more than 9 million TEUs a year, moves cargo valued at about $200 billion annually and supports an estimated 2.6 million jobs across the United States. Port leadership cited the scale and complexity of the Pier B work, noting it includes 10 construction contracts that must be managed together.
Scope and schedule
Jacobs will act as the umbrella construction manager for a broad program that includes wharf work, backland development and a new administration building. The firm will coordinate contractors on multiple fronts to reduce conflicts, align deliveries and maintain port operations during construction. Final completion is expected in 2032.
How the work will be managed
The Port opted for a program‑level construction management approach that lets one team provide shared staffing, constructability reviews and integration with the port’s internal construction staff. Weekly coordination meetings will align upcoming activities and equipment deliveries to limit disruptions on the active site. An environmental compliance hub will oversee EIR requirements and coordinate with regulatory agencies to keep projects moving without compromising protections.
Benefits and community impact
The expansion is expected to reduce truck trips to terminal gates, which should lower emissions and help local air quality goals. Officials estimate the program will create more than 1,000 local jobs during construction and provide longer‑term economic benefits by speeding cargo movement and lowering shipping costs. The port markets the work as also supporting regional economic development and broader health and environmental initiatives.
Jacobs’ background on ports and recent related work
Jacobs has performed previous projects at the Port of Long Beach and other West Coast ports, including a new fireboat station built to modern standards and waterfront repairs. The firm says its past roles included managing waterfront construction, underwater quay wall repairs and integrating complex safety and sustainability requirements. Port and contractor officials point to past project delivery, environmental oversight and schedule recovery as reasons for the current selection.
Operational challenges and mitigation
Managing construction inside a busy seaport presents unique challenges: operating around active terminals, coordinating cranes and vessels, protecting sensitive environmental areas, and maintaining cargo throughput. The program‑level manager will coordinate ship‑to‑shore crane integration, repurpose surplus materials where possible and sequence work to reduce downtime during startup. Project teams will also use advanced tools and coordinated staffing to limit schedule delays and keep construction moving.
Wider context
The Pier B program is part of a larger capital push at the port intended to modernize trans‑Pacific trade flows and strengthen supply chain resilience. By expanding on‑dock rail, the port aims to shift a larger share of container moves from truck to rail, reducing congestion on nearby roads and meeting local environmental targets tied to the port’s long‑running sustainability initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being built at Pier B?
The project will expand the port’s rail yard from 82 acres to 171 acres and add a modern on‑dock rail support facility to increase rail capacity and cargo handling.
Who is managing the construction?
A construction management firm has been selected to oversee the program‑level work, coordinate multiple contracts and integrate with the port’s construction team.
When will the project finish?
Work is expected to be completed in 2032.
How will the project affect truck traffic and air quality?
The expansion is designed to move more containers by rail, which should reduce truck trips, lower emissions and improve air quality in adjacent neighborhoods.
How many jobs will the project create?
The program is expected to create more than 1,000 local construction jobs during the build phase, with additional indirect economic benefits thereafter.
Is this part of a larger investment plan?
Yes. Pier B is a key element of the port’s broader $2.2 billion capital program to modernize terminals and improve efficiency.
Key project features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pier | Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility |
| Location | Long Beach, California |
| Managing contractor | Jacobs (construction management) |
| Total port capital program | $2.2 billion |
| Rail yard size | From 82 acres to 171 acres |
| Expected rail capacity | Up to 4.7 million TEUs annually |
| Completion target | 2032 |
| Contracts to manage | 10 construction contracts |
| Local jobs | More than 1,000 construction jobs expected |
| Main goals | Increase rail moves, reduce truck trips, lower emissions, improve air quality |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Construction Dive: Jacobs named construction manager for Port of Long Beach Pier B rail expansion
- Wikipedia: Port of Long Beach
- Jacobs: Redefining port — Long Beach project page
- Google Search: Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility Port of Long Beach
- Railway Age: Jacobs tapped to support Port of Long Beach’s Pier B on‑dock rail support facility
- Google Scholar: Port of Long Beach rail expansion
- Jacobs Newsroom: Forging a safer future — state‑of‑the‑art fireboat station, Port of Long Beach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Port of Long Beach
- Press‑Telegram: The synergy of the conductor-less chamber orchestra — Kontrapunktus returns to Long Beach
- Google News: Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility
Author: Construction CA News
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