A coalition of environmentalists, community groups and Long Beach officials is seeking a court order to halt construction of a controversial $500-million Port of Los Angeles rail yard that they claim will increase pollution in surrounding low-income, minority communities.
During hearings Monday and Tuesday, attorneys representing the group asked Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Barry Goode to order the port to cancel its approval of the proposed Southern California International Gateway. The case was filed in Los Angeles, but a local judge agreed to change the venue to Contra Costa County.
The 153-acre facility planned by the port and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. would be built in Wilmington next to California 103, between Sepulveda Boulevard and California 1 and east of Alameda Street.
The judge has 90 days to rule on the environmental portion of the case. Arguments on the fair hearing allegation were postponed to Jan. 28.
