October 2024 RASC Luncheon with Clint Herrera, Port of Long Beach
RASC asked Clint Herrera, Director of Engineering Design at the Port of Long Beach, to venture inland for our October Luncheon. Away from the salt spray, seagulls and shipping containers, Clint obliged and shared updates on his projects at POLB.
He opened with a little background on the Port, its drive towards sustainability and its Green Port leadership that has positively impacted the shipping industry and seaport management worldwide.
Clint shared the scope of the Engineering Services Division, with 280 people working to design, build and maintain port assets. His design department focuses on the technical details, putting projects out to bid before turning them over to Construction Management. The two departments work hand-in-hand to support the Port’s development. Clint suggested the audience follow the individual departments for opportunities.
The current POLB capital program budget is $368 million, with nearly $220 million for rail projects. Other projects focus on automation and electrification, supporting the Port’s goal of improved sustainability. The ten-year capital budget forecast is $2.3 billion, with more than half earmarked for rail.
Clint spoke on terminal development, highlighting the recently completed Middle Harbor Terminal and Pier G Wharf, the Long Beach International Gateway Replacement and new Fireboat Stations 15 and 20.
Two major program highlights were the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support, a cornerstone project that will directly connect the dock to the Alameda Corridor, improving operations and environmental impact, and the Pier Wind Offshore Wind Staging and Integration Facility, uniquely located to allow for the assembly of 1,000-ft-tall offshore wind turbines that can easily be towed to wind farms along California’s coast.
Clint encouraged the audience to check out POLB’s PlanetBids portal for upcoming opportunities, and encouraged our SBE/VSBE members to reach out—the Port has a goal of 27% participation for small firms.
Big thanks to Clint Herrera of the Port of Long Beach for the informative presentation. As always, thank you to J.P. Ziegler for arranging lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory in Fullerton. And thank you to our attending RASC members and our annual corporate sponsors RailPros, Mott MacDonald and GHD, whose participation makes our scholarship program possible.
RASC’s is committed to the education of the next generation of rail engineers, with the goal to provide scholarships for undergraduates interested in transportation. Funds raised from these luncheons support that initiative directly.
Join us! Sign up now to become a member of the Railway Association of Southern California (2024 RASC Membership) and be first in line for the next program.
Sponsor us! Help us grow our scholarship base. Sponsor a program by reaching out to J.P. Ziegler (jackson.ziegler@railpros.com) or become an annual corporate sponsor (RASC Sponsorship Levels).