Long Beach, CA — Dallas-based contractor Jacobs has secured a major role in California’s largest port infrastructure upgrade, landing a construction management contract for the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility at the Port of Long Beach. The award is a centerpiece of the port’s $2.2 billion capital improvement program, one of the most ambitious in U.S. port history.

The Pier B project will nearly double the site’s footprint from 82 acres to 171 acres and more than triple on-dock rail capacity, ultimately enabling the facility to move up to 4.7 million 20-foot containers annually. By shifting cargo from trucks to rail, the expansion aims to reduce roadway congestion, cut emissions, and improve air quality across Southern California — a region long challenged by freight-related pollution.

“[This is] an enormous undertaking with 10 construction contracts to manage,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “Jacobs has demonstrated its qualifications to help us accommodate this peak workflow, and we’re pleased to work with the company to build this new gateway for the nation’s container cargo.”

Jacobs’ role will include overseeing multiple construction packages, coordinating with contractors, and ensuring that safety, environmental, and operational requirements are met throughout the multi-year effort. The firm expects the Pier B project to reach completion in 2032, reflecting its scale and complexity.

Building on a Growing Infrastructure Portfolio

For Jacobs, the win marks another step in expanding its infrastructure portfolio. The contractor has recently emphasized growth in transportation, water, and advanced facilities markets, positioning itself as a key player in long-term modernization programs.

The company is no stranger to the Port of Long Beach. Its past projects include Fireboat Station 20, a critical marine safety facility. Jacobs has also delivered major waterfront infrastructure at the Port of San Francisco, highlighting its experience with maritime and coastal engineering projects.

National and Regional Impact

The Pier B rail expansion is considered a nationally significant infrastructure project, given the port’s role as the second-busiest container hub in the U.S., after the neighboring Port of Los Angeles. By expanding rail access, the facility will help streamline cargo movement across the country, supporting both regional supply chains and national trade efficiency.

Environmental advocates also point to the project as a potential model for greener freight operations, with the reduction in truck trips expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions in surrounding communities disproportionately impacted by heavy traffic.

With construction management duties spanning the next several years, Jacobs will be tasked with balancing operational continuity at one of the busiest gateways in North America while guiding a once-in-a-generation transformation of the port’s rail system.

Originally reported by Sebastian Obando in Construction Dive.