The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project has released an image of how the old bridge and the new bridge compare. Image courtesy of Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project.
The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project has released more details about the new bridge that will replace the Gerald Demond Bridge at the Port of Long Beach.
The new bridge is being built just north of the existing structure to allow the current bridge to remain open during construction, according to a statement from the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project.
This also allows trade and cargo to continue moving since nearly 15 percent of all waterborne cargo travels over the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
The new bridge will have a clearance of 205 feet, where the old bridge has a clearance of 155 feet. This expansion will help “accommodate the newest generation of cargo ships,” according to the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project’s statement.
Features of the new bridge include three traffic lanes in each direction, emergency shoulders in each direction, a bike path, a pedestrian walkway, scenic overlooks, two 515-feet towers, and an elegant, cable-stayed design.
In conjunction with the new bridge’s construction, the following road closures will continue:
Pier S Lane Closure
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: There will be alternating lane closures on Pier S Lane. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic.
When: 6:00PM January 30 to 6:00AM January 31
Pico Avenue Lane Closure
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: There will be alternating lane closures on Pico Avenue between the Ninth Street/Pier B intersection and Pier E Street. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic.
When: 7:00PM January 30 to 5:00AM January 31
Pier D Street Lane Closure
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: There will be alternating lane closures on Pier D Street. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic.
When: Daily from 6:00AM to 3:00PM through approximately mid-March
Southbound Harbor Scenic Drive Lane Closure
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: The inside lane of southbound Harbor Scenic Drive is closed from the southbound I-710 Freeway to Ocean Boulevard. One lane will remain open at all times.
When: Ongoing through approximately early-March
Northbound Pico Avenue Lane Closure
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: A short stretch of northbound Pico Avenue is reduced to one lane between the westbound Ocean Boulevard off-ramp and Pier D Street.
When: Ongoing
Pier T Avenue Ramp Closure
Type of Work: Ramp closure
Area of Work: The Pier T Avenue on-ramp to westbound Ocean Boulevard is closed. The entrance to the detour route along Pier S Lane is approximately 300 feet from the former westbound on-ramp at the Pier T Avenue/Pier T Lane intersection.
When: Ongoing through mid-2015
SB I-710 Freeway to WB Ocean Blvd. Connector Closure
Type of Work: Freeway connector closure
Area of Work: The southbound I-710 Freeway to westbound Ocean Boulevard connector is closed through 2016. The detour for traffic headed to Terminal Island and San Pedro is southbound Pico Avenue to westbound Ocean Boulevard. Follow detour signs for “Terminal Island.” Detour map available here.
When: Ongoing
Westbound Ocean Blvd. Lane Reduction
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: Westbound Ocean Boulevard from downtown Long Beach is reduced to one lane approaching the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
When: Ongoing
Eastbound Pier T Avenue Lane Closure (POLB)
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: One lane of eastbound Pier T Avenue will be closed for maintenance. One lane will remain open at all times.
When: 7:00AM to 4:00PM January 31
WB Ocean Boulevard to SR-47 Intersection Lane Closure (Caltrans)
Type of Work: Lane closure
Area of Work: The dedicated right turn lane for northbound Terminal Island Freeway from westbound Ocean Boulevard is closed. Access through the intersection and northbound Terminal Island Freeway is maintained.
When: Ongoing until approximately February 2015