Harbor Subdivision - Potential Future Uses

Potential Future Uses

Rumors of the abandonment of the Harbor Subdivision abounded during the construction of the Alameda Corridor. BNSF has stated that, although the entire line is now within so-called yard limits and a segment between mileposts 8 in Inglewood and 14 in El Segundo "mothballed," the line will remain open to service businesses on the route and as an alternate route should the Alameda Corridor suffer an accident or derailment. Local freights continue to work the line on either side of the closed area. Major customers include a ChevronTexaco refinery in El Segundo, an Interstate Bakeries Corporation bakery in Inglewood, an ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance and the aforementioned Alcoa processing plant. Since the line is somewhat unusual insofar as it passes through residential as well as commercial districts, especially through Torrance and Redondo Beach, it is a popular destination for railfans and photographers despite reduced traffic. Radio dispatch via track warrant control makes it easy for railfans with portable scanners to follow train movement.

The line is currently under control of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is used by both the BNSF and the Union Pacific. Despite the closure of the Inglewood/El Segundo segment and the reduction in the number of trains from roughly 20 one-way trains per day to about six two-way trains, growth in local freight traffic is projected to be roughly two percent per year. A study conducted by the MTA examined the feasibilities of extending the Green Line to Torrance via the Harbor Sub, the creation of a new light rail transit line and even the possibility of a maglev high-speed rail system. The study also examines the possibilities abandonment would create, although the scenarios remain highly unlikely.