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Replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge

Port of Long Beach News Release

Harbor Commission Approves Bridge Project EIR
Panel OKs $1 billion proposal to replace Gerald Desmond span

August 10, 2010

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Monday, August 9, unanimously approved a plan to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge with a new, nearly $1 billion span that will accommodate future traffic needs and dramatically improve safety for vessels and vehicles alike.

The Port of Long Beach, in partnership with Caltrans, will oversee the project to design and build a higher, wider bridge parallel to and just north of the existing Gerald Desmond Bridge. Once the new bridge is completed and open, the old structure will be taken down. The project will generate an average of 4,000 jobs per year during the expected five-to-six years of construction.

"This is a high priority project both on a national and a local scale," said Harbor Commission President Nick Sramek. "It benefits both the environment and the economy, and we need to move forward expeditiously."

The Gerald Desmond Bridge is a vital route for cargo, carrying about 15 percent of the nation's goods. It is also a critical link for commuters, who make up about 75 percent of bridge traffic. The bridge serves as a connection for thousands of vehicles each day between Long Beach and San Pedro, and between Orange County and western Los Angeles County.

The new bridge will have three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in both directions, making it safer and better able to accommodate cars and trucks on a major Southern California commuting route. The new bridge will be higher to allow for the newest generation of green cargo ships to pass underneath.

Along with the environmental certification, the Commission also approved additional funds for the Port Mitigation Grant Programs, which are designed to reduce the cumulative air quality impacts from major Port development projects. The Commission added $2.4 million to the mitigation grant programs, which now total $17.4 million.

A fact sheet, informational video, Q and A, and the complete environmental impact report are available through the Port's website at www.polb.com/bridge.

Media Contact: John Pope, Port of Long Beach Media Relations Manager, (562) 590-4126, (562) 900-7766 (cell), or pope@polb.com.

Click for larger imageFinal EIR

For a project overview and links to the complete draft EIR, please visit www.polb.com/bridge.

Download the Fact Sheet
Download the Gerald Desmond Bridge Q&A
Gerald Desmond Bridge Draft EIR
Video about the Gerald Desmond Bridge on YouTube

 

Port of Long Beach News Release

Port Releases Final Gerald Desmond Bridge Report
New span proposed to replace vital transportation link

July 28, 2010

The Port of Long Beach today released the final environmental analysis for a plan to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge with a new, nearly $1 billion span that would improve traffic flow, safety and vessel navigation. The document is available on the Port's website and is scheduled on Aug. 9 to be considered for approval by the Board of Harbor Commissioners.

Earlier this year the Port completed the revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the project and solicited comments, holding two public hearings on the project. The final EIR incorporates and responds to those comments.

"The bridge is obsolete and deteriorating," said Port Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. "The new bridge will add lanes for improved traffic flow and dedicated safety lanes to keep traffic moving if there’s a breakdown or accident."

The Gerald Desmond Bridge, built in 1968, is a vital route for cargo, carrying about 15 percent of the nation's goods. It is also a critical link for commuters, who make up about 75 percent of bridge traffic. The bridge serves as a connection for thousands of vehicles each day between Long Beach and San Pedro, and between Orange County and western Los Angeles County.

The new bridge would have three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in both directions, making it safer and better able to accommodate cars and trucks on a major Southern California commuting route. The new bridge would be higher to allow for the newest generation of green cargo ships to pass underneath.

In addition, construction of the new bridge would create up to 4,000 jobs per year for five-to-six years.

"It's critical that we replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge now. Rather than continue to pour money into maintaining a structure with major shortcomings, we have proposed a replacement bridge to meet our needs now and in the future. And construction will support thousands of badly needed jobs," Steinke said.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to consider the proposed final EIR at its Aug. 9 meeting.

For a project overview and links to the fact sheet, Q&A and the complete EIR, please visit www.polb.com/bridge.

The final EIR is also available for viewing at these locations:

  • Port of Long Beach Harbor Administration Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach 
  • Long Beach Main Library, 101 Pacific Ave., Long Beach
  • San Pedro Regional Branch Library, 931 Gaffey St., San Pedro 
  • Wilmington Branch Library, 1300 N. Avalon Blvd., Wilmington

If you would like to request a hard copy of the document or if you need additional information, please contact Stacey Crouch at (562) 590-4160.

Hearings Set for Bridge Environmental Report
Public invited to comment on plan to replace aging Gerald Desmond Bridge 

February 4, 2010Click for larger image

The Port of Long Beach today released the revised draft environmental impact report for public comment on its next major improvement proposal -- replacing the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge.
 
The Gerald Desmond Bridge is an important transportation link both for the local seaports and for the commuters of Southern California. However, the 40-year-old bridge is obsolete and deteriorating. The revised draft environmental impact report, or EIR, outlines the Port’s plans to increase safety and improve navigation with a replacement bridge.

With three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in both directions, the new bridge would be safer and better able to accommodate cars and trucks on a major Southern California commuting route. The new bridge would be higher to allow for the newest generation of green cargo ships to pass underneath.

Replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge is an important part of the ongoing modernization of the Port of Long Beach. In addition, the $1.1 billion project would generate about $2.8 billion in economic activity and support, on average, 4,000 jobs a year during five years of construction.

The revised draft environmental impact report will be available for public review and comment for 45 days. The Port will host two public hearings to allow for comment on the proposal:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m. (presentations begin at 6:30 p.m.) at Long Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 333 W. Ocean Blvd.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. (presentations begin at 6:30 p.m.) at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St.

At each hearing, Port staff will make a presentation explaining the project and draft EIR, and then invite members of the public to comment. The Port is also accepting written comments on the EIR, sent to Richard Cameron, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802, or by e-mail to Cameron@polb.com. ** UPDATE** Comments are due by 4:30 p.m., March 22, 2010

Contact: Art Wong, Port of Long Beach Assistant Director of Communications/Public Information Officer, (562) 590-4123, (562) 619-5665 (cell), or wong@polb.com.

 

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