BNSF Railway Co.’s Southern California International Gateway project at the Port of Los Angeles, which has been in the works for a decade, is now facing more delays.

Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Barry Goode ruled today that the Port of Los Angeles failed to perform an adequate environmental analysis of the proposed $500 million railyard project that BNSF argues will reduce truck traffic on freeways and provide a much-needed railway infrastructure. The port must now complete a new environmental impact report.

Residents and activists argued the project, if approved, would put an unfair burden on communities adjacent to the port in West Long Beach by creating pollution, noise, and traffic near daycare centers, schools, and homes. The City of Long Beach and other parties had sued the port arguing that the existing environmental impact report did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

“The City of Long Beach and the West Long Beach community are concerned about noise and air pollution,” said Rachel Hooper, an attorney from San Francisco-based Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger who represented the city in its litigation. “We hope the port will review what the judge has ordered.”

If it’s eventually approved, the project would allow the Texas railway firm to operate the railyard for the next 50 years.

Port of Los Angeles spokeswoman Rachel Campbell said in an email that the port is disappointed with the ruling.

“We will study the decision and discuss next steps with BNSF and the Board of Harbor Commissioners,” Campbell said.