Shippers will have even more ways to move cargo and access container terminals at the Port of Long Beach, thanks to extended gate hours offered through the Port’s terminals.

Participating terminals at the Port will keep their truck gates open on evenings and Saturdays starting in late October, before the Nov. 7 closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the Port of Los Angeles, and will continue for six weeks excluding the week of Thanksgiving.

Port CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba, who announced the expanded gate hours in a video earlier this month, said the Port is offering the program to lessen potential impacts to cargo and traffic flow during Caltrans’ 16-month deck replacement project on the Vincent Thomas Bridge.

“I want to thank our marine terminal operators for stepping up to the plate and showing our customers that their business is valuable and important to us,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal. “The Port of Long Beach will be open throughout the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure, moving cargo with the efficiency our customers appreciate.”

“We know that time and flexibility are important to our customers when it comes to moving cargo and running a business,” Hacegaba said. “We are proud to do this in partnership with our marine terminal operators, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union and the Harbor Trucking Association. We have been proactive in planning for this closure, working closely with the port community to minimize impacts to traffic and cargo flow.”