The Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s (BNSF) proposed railyard project west of the 710 freeway is, according to Streetsblog, riddled with misinformation about the benefits of the project—even garnering, according to the author, a “sadly misunderstood and ill-grounded” endorsement from the Press-Telegram.
The 153-acre Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) yard will accompany BNSF’s Hobart yard about 15 miles north, with SCIG handling international containers and Hobart handling domestic.
BNSF claims the SCIG yard will take some 1.5 million trucks off the 710 freeway, thereby making the surrounding communities benefit. However, an analysis of their recirculated draft environmental impact report (RDEIR)—following a disastrous initial DEIR—states explictly that the surrounding neighborhoods of mostly low-income, minority communities, will be adversely affected.
A group of 20 organizations will hold a public hearing with not only various experts explaining the RDEIR’s problems but also alternative proposals they wish the Los Angeles Harbor Commission to take on.
The hearing will take place tonight at Banning’s Landing, located at 100 E. Water Street in Wilmington, from 6PM to 8PM