June 29, 2021

The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Re: FY 2021 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) – Pier B Early Rail Project Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

We are writing to express our strong support for Port of Long Beach’s $168.8 million Pier B Early Rail Project, which is seeking $52.3 million in grant funding from the FY 2021 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). The Project is the initial phase of the overall Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility (Program), which will dramatically expand the Port’s on-dock rail capacity.

Spanning more than a decade, the Program entails reconfiguration, expansion and enhancement of the existing Pier B railyard in the nation’s second-busiest port to sufficiently accommodate the expected demand of cargo to be moved via on-dock rail into the foreseeable future, accept and handle longer container trains, and improve efficiency of on-dock intermodal operations. The Project is comprised of three connected, but independent components namely - the Locomotive Facility, the West Expansion Infill, and the East Expansion. The Project will, in alignment with the overall Program objectives, construct new tracks, as well as realign and improve existing tracks and roadways, to increase safety and operational efficiency. These initial rail installations, delivered an estimated six years before completion of the overall Program, will allow critical operations to occur while the remaining phases of the Program are completed.

The Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach, was chartered July 28, 1939 and has been the leading maritime organization in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area. This chapter is part of the Pacific Coast Region of the Propeller Club of the United States.

Together with the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach, this region includes the Port of San Diego, Port of San Francisco, Port of Port the Columbia River, Port of Tacoma, Port of Seattle and the Port of Honolulu.

The Club is governed by a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary- Treasurer and Board of Governors. Committee chairs and members are responsible for planning the various activities of the club. The committees include: Programs/Special Events, Seafood Feast, Education, Golf, Membership, Legislative, Public Relations and Reception.

Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach PO Box 10 | Manhattan Beach, CA 90267 www.propellerclublalb.org

Benefits from the Project include:

• ·       Align with the overall Program to support more efficient use of “on-dock” rail at the Port’s marine terminals, which will in turn ease roadway traffic congestion and improve air quality.
• ·       Provide much needed capacity to the entire San Pedro Bay port complex rail system.
• ·       Reduce the number of light-engine moves on the San Pedro Bay rail network between remote fueling facilities and port terminals.
• ·       Reduce switching moves and open main tracks for through movements, while generating less emissions and less idling through decreased locomotive dwell time.
• ·       Promote a mode shift that would allow more containers to be transported directly by rail to and from the on-dock and supporting rail yards, rather than transported by truck to near-dock and/or off-dock rail facilities;
• ·       Receive and depart up to 10,000-foot-long trains, within the confines of the rail yard, to accommodate the increasing use of longer trains by the Class I railroads.
• ·       Support the San Pedro Bay Port Complex’s goal of maximizing transport of goods via on-dock rail.

Southern California is home to America’s leading container port complex, handling 40 percent of our nation’s imports and 25 percent of exports. The Port directly and indirectly supports 1 in 5 jobs in Long Beach, 576,000 jobs in Southern California, and 2.6 million jobs nationally. Trade moving through the Port generates $46 billion in tax and revenue contributions each year. The United States Department of Agriculture ranks the Port of Long Beach among the top 20 U.S. ports moving waterborne agricultural trade; the Port cumulatively supports $374 billion of total economic output across the U.S. economy.

The Port of Long Beach has been working diligently to ensure essential goods are delivered promptly throughout the challenges of the pandemic. Despite the current disruptions, the Port has and will continue to play a vital role by ensuring that our supply chains remain resilient. Significant investments in port infrastructure are crucial to ensure an efficient supply chain and our nation’s access to global markets.

We respectfully request USDOT approval of this PIDP grant application and appreciate your consideration and leadership. Questions regarding this letter may be directed to David Arsenault, President of the Propeller Club of Los Angeles / Long Beach. David can be reached by phone at 714-272-4741 or by email darsenault555@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Propeller Club Los Angeles / Long Beach Phone: 714.316.5269

Fax: 714.632.5405

info@propellerclublalb.org www.propellerclublalb.org

Propeller Club of Los Angeles-Long Beach PO Box 10 | Manhattan Beach, CA 90267 www.propellerclublalb.org