Port Forms Group to Study Reducing Truck Traffic

SAN PEDRO, Calif.--Oct. 1, 20035, 2003--The Port of Los Angeles is forming a working group, co-chaired by Harbor Commissioner James Acevedo and Councilwoman Janice Hahn, to identify opportunities of reducing truck traffic on the highways during peak commuter hours. The action was approved by the full Board at last week's Board of Harbor Commissioners meeting.

"The Port of Los Angeles is a leader in implementing programs like the vessel reduction program and installation of diesel oxidation catalysts to improve the air quality in and around the Port. But we must do more. I applaud the Harbor Commission's decision to implement a working group to look at options on how to reduce truck traffic in and around the Port during peak commuting hours," said Mayor Jim Hahn. "I am confident that this working group will explore all of the possible options to reduce truck traffic in order to improve air quality and I look forward to hearing their ideas and suggestions."

The formation of the working group preceded the recent tragic accident on the 710 Freeway, Mayor Hahn said. However, he added that he believed the working group will give the Port and the City of Los Angeles a stronger voice in communicating concerns about safety of Port-related truck traffic to the transportation agencies responsible for the freeways.

"The time has come for us to seriously consider extending gate hours at the Port of Los Angeles," said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. "I believe that nothing will impact traffic and air quality more than extending the hours that trucks travel into and out of the Harbor."

The working group, made up of stakeholders in the cargo supply chain, Port commissioners Tom Warren and Camilla Townsend Kocol, and Port staff, will explore opportunities at terminals such as extended gate hours and expanded on-dock rail capabilities, will reach out to warehouses and trucking companies to identify their operational challenges, and will conduct a series of workshops and hearings.

"This Board's commitment to the Mayor and the City of Los Angeles is to seek out new and more efficient ways of doing business at the Port of Los Angeles while keeping the effects of its operations on the community to a minimum," said Harbor Commissioner James Acevedo. "This working group will be doing serious work to explore all viable options for reducing the number of trucks on the roads during high traffic times."

"Our goal is to make the Port of Los Angeles both cleaner and safer for the residents of Los Angeles and surrounding communities. I look forward to the recommendations that will come from our working group to achieve those goals," the Mayor said.