Jacobs named construction manager for Port of Long Beach Pier B rail expansion

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 Pier B On‑Dock Rail Expansion for Port of Long Beach in $2.2 Billion Program

The Port of Long Beach has tapped Jacobs, a Dallas‑based contractor, to serve as the construction management lead for the Pier B On‑Dock Rail Support Facility program, a cornerstone project within the port’s $2.2 billion capital program. The award was publicly announced on August 7. The contract value is undisclosed, but the expansion is expected to deliver a state‑of‑the‑art facility that will reshape how cargo moves through the port’s marine terminals.

Project scope and capacity

Located in Long Beach, California, the Pier B program will expand the existing rail yard from 82 acres to 171 acres, effectively more than doubling the space and enabling a dramatic increase in throughput. Officials describe the expansion as doubling the rail yard and more than tripling the Port’s on‑dock rail capacity, positioning Pier B as a transformative gateway for trans‑Pacific cargo movement. The facility is designed to handle up to 4.7 million TEUs (20‑foot containers) annually, a scale that supports the Port’s role as a premier U.S. gateway for global trade and contributes to regional economic development.

Program intent and benefits

Beyond volume, the Pier B expansion is expected to significantly reduce truck traffic and lower overall emissions, with improvements anticipated in air quality for surrounding communities. The Port frames Pier B as part of a broader strategy to enhance cargo movement efficiency while minimizing community impacts, aligning with the Port’s environmental leadership under its “Green Port” identity. Jacobs emphasizes that the project will materially advance environmental initiatives and support local health objectives as cargo moves more efficiently through an expanded rail system.

Delivery approach and governance

The Pier B program is described as having ten construction contracts to manage, with Jacobs providing umbrella program‑level support construction management (PLSCM) services. The PLSCM approach is designed to streamline coordination across planning, procurement, and delivery, integrating Jacobs personnel with the Port’s internal construction team. Weekly coordination meetings align upcoming activities and equipment deliveries to minimize disruption across ongoing port projects. The approach also includes ship‑to‑shore crane integration and repurposing of surplus materials as sustainability measures.

Schedule, responsibilities, and past work

Jacobs expects completion of the Pier B expansion in 2032, anchoring the Port’s broader effort to modernize cargo movement and reduce environmental impacts. The Port of Long Beach, described as No. 2 among U.S. container ports, handles billions in cargo value and millions of TEUs annually, underscoring the strategic importance of Pier B within the regional economy. Jacobs notes that its experience managing large infrastructure projects, including waterfront facilities and port‑related work, positions it to accelerate cargo movement, reduce shipping costs, and strengthen supply‑chain resilience through the Pier B program.

Community, environment, and workforce impact

The Pier B project is expected to generate substantial community benefits, including the creation of more than 1,000 local jobs. Jacobs highlights that the expansion supports environmental and health initiatives tied to port operations. The firm’s leadership emphasizes the alignment of the project with a broader commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of cargo movement and enhancing resilience against future disruptions. The Port’s environmental oversight and coordination with regulatory agencies are positioned to ensure rigorous compliance without delaying progress, with a dedicated hub for environmental compliance overseeing multiple projects.

Scope of the Port and Jacobs relationship

This award adds to Jacobs’ growing infrastructure portfolio, with recent work across water and advanced facilities and prior projects at the Port of Long Beach, including Fireboat Station 20. Jacobs’ port and maritime expertise blends global insights with local know‑how to deliver solutions that support resilience, efficiency, and regional economic vitality. The Pier B program is framed as transforming the rail yard into a modern facility that accelerates cargo movement while reducing community impacts, a goal supported by the Port’s environmental leadership and Jacobs’ project management capabilities.