The transition ramp connecting the Gerald Desmond Bridge to the northbound Long Beach (710) Freeway will permanently close beginning Saturday night, the Port of Long Beach announced today.

The ramp is scheduled to close at 9:00PM with the eastbound Ocean Boulevard road expected to close at the SR-47 interchange a few hours later to allow crews to install the final components of the ramp closure and detour, port officials said.

The closure of the ramp will make way for a new connection to the new $1.5 billion bridge connecting Terminal Island to the 710 freeway—a joint effort of Caltrans and the port, with additional funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Metro.

Ramp Connecting Gerald Desmond Bridge to 710 Freeway to Permanently Close in June

“Under the new detour, eastbound traffic on the Gerald Desmond Bridge heading to the northbound 710 Freeway will be briefly diverted onto northbound Pico Avenue, then travel about one-half mile on Pico before rejoining the northbound 710 Freeway,” a port release stated. “The detour route will include three left-turn lanes for traffic leaving the bridge and turning north onto Pico at a lighted intersection. The eastbound Ocean-to-northbound-710 detour will remain in place for about one year until construction of the replacement bridge is completed and open to traffic sometime in mid-to-late 2019.”

Other short-term closures are scheduled in the future as well.

From July 4-6, there will be a closure affecting southbound Harbor Scenic Drive, which passes under the current connector ramp. It’s also the primary route from the southbound 710 to the Queen Mary, cruise lines and nearby hotels, as well as to port piers F-J. Motorists are recommended to use the “Downtown Long Beach” exit and Shoreline Drive.

When the new bridge is completed it will include six traffic lanes and four emergency shoulders, a higher clearance to accommodate large cargo ships and a bike and pedestrian path.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.