Taking a page from its neighbors to the south, the Port of Oakland has started a trial project to extend the gate hours of its eight marine terminals from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Unlike the PierPass program started by the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles earlier this year, the Port of Oakland’s plan involves no changes in fee structure.

Port of Oakland Executive Director Jerry Bridges said in a news release that the new hours, which started Sept. 6, will hopefully alleviate some of the daytime traffic as well as some of the pollution associated with the port.

“We anticipate that this project will deliver important environmental benefits to our local community because it will take trucks off the road during the day relieving congestion and reducing emissions,” he said.

The trial project came about as a result of complaints from agricultural shippers that they were unable to get product in and out of the port quickly enough during daytime hours.

The port currently sees about 2,500 turns – or trips in and out of the port – each day. The project – which will run through the end of the year – is estimated to move at least 15 percent of those to nighttime hours.