If you've been driving down Ocean Drive in Long Beach lately, there are signs advertising newgdbridge.com (which sounds like new goddamned bridge). It's a site with updates on the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project, which CalTrans recently adopted as part of the 710 freeway. There's a cool 3d video of the new 6 lane bridge, which is projected to be finished by 2016.
It may not be pretty, but it does have a sidewalk. Perhaps it is a good time to do a bridge walk sometime soon and get photos! I should have some free weekends in December.
Only six lanes? I would have thought Caltrans would have gone for six plus auxiliary lanes across the bridges (or at least a wide enough shoulder to allow for at least one additional lane each way).
Yeah, whoever came up with that web address should be fired.
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 23, 2013, 10:31:03 PM
Only six lanes? I would have thought Caltrans would have gone for six plus auxiliary lanes across the bridges (or at least a wide enough shoulder to allow for at least one additional lane each way).
Six lanes for traffic. Technically eight on the east end before merging into six. Two shoulder lanes in each direction, totaling four on the whole bridge. And yes, a sidewalk!
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 23, 2013, 10:31:03 PM
Only six lanes? I would have thought Caltrans would have gone for six plus auxiliary lanes across the bridges (or at least a wide enough shoulder to allow for at least one additional lane each way).
The area there is 100% industrial though - very little in the way of commuter traffic. (The connecting Terminal Island Freeway/Route 103 has a similar configuration)
Here is a clickable link: http://www.newgdbridge.com/
I remember when the Gerald Desmond bridge was brand-new; it opened to traffic about 1968 or thereabouts. Before it was built, you had to use a creaky little drawbridge, if I remember correctly.
Yes, we did some research to confirm that the Gerald Desmond Bridge opened on June 5, 1968:
https://www.aaroads.com/california/i-710_ca.html
The bridge was improved in 2002; that's when they moved the pedestrian/bicyclist walkway to the exterior of the superstructure. The height of the bridge, which we cite on our Interstate 710 page, was thought to be accurate when we wrote it a few years ago, but the heights that are listed on the new Gerald Desmond Bridge webpage are probably more accurate.
Regards,
Andy
Quote from: hm insulators on November 26, 2013, 02:49:53 PM
I remember when the Gerald Desmond bridge was brand-new; it opened to traffic about 1968 or thereabouts. Before it was built, you had to use a creaky little drawbridge, if I remember correctly.
Yes, a floating bridge (http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/commentary/where-we-are/the-bridges-of-terminal-island.html).
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kcet.org%2Fupdaily%2Fsocal_focus%2Fassets%2FPontoon%2520Bridge%2520and%2520Traffic.jpg&hash=f766362e7466d239663a867c9c4e27bc17495a78)
http://www.newgdbridge.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=207&TargetID=1
The connector ramp in Long Beach directing I-710 westward onto Ocean Blvd will be closed for at least 2 1/2 years for demolition, so if you want to continue on the 710 you'll have to get off at one of the local exits and re-enter via Ocean Blvd.
Quote from: emory on June 17, 2014, 03:13:08 AM
http://www.newgdbridge.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=207&TargetID=1
The connector ramp in Long Beach directing I-710 westward onto Ocean Blvd will be closed for at least 2 1/2 years for demolition, so if you want to continue on the 710 you'll have to get off at one of the local exits and re-enter via Ocean Blvd.
This appears to be the through lane for those wanting to clinch I-710 southbound when shifting from the Long Beach Fwy south to Ocean Ave/Gerald Desmond Bridge west, so I guess 710 will be temporarily discontinuous (although signed with a detour route via Pico) during this time period.
I'll have to keep an eye on that! :nod:
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on November 27, 2013, 06:07:34 PM
Quote from: hm insulators on November 26, 2013, 02:49:53 PM
I remember when the Gerald Desmond bridge was brand-new; it opened to traffic about 1968 or thereabouts. Before it was built, you had to use a creaky little drawbridge, if I remember correctly.
Yes, a floating bridge (http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/commentary/where-we-are/the-bridges-of-terminal-island.html).
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kcet.org%2Fupdaily%2Fsocal_focus%2Fassets%2FPontoon%2520Bridge%2520and%2520Traffic.jpg&hash=f766362e7466d239663a867c9c4e27bc17495a78)
Wasn't this bridge shown in a chase scene near the end of "It's a Mad Mad Mad World"
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on June 24, 2014, 04:55:38 PM
Quote from: Occidental Tourist on November 27, 2013, 06:07:34 PM
Quote from: hm insulators on November 26, 2013, 02:49:53 PM
I remember when the Gerald Desmond bridge was brand-new; it opened to traffic about 1968 or thereabouts. Before it was built, you had to use a creaky little drawbridge, if I remember correctly.
Yes, a floating bridge (http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/commentary/where-we-are/the-bridges-of-terminal-island.html).
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kcet.org%2Fupdaily%2Fsocal_focus%2Fassets%2FPontoon%2520Bridge%2520and%2520Traffic.jpg&hash=f766362e7466d239663a867c9c4e27bc17495a78)
Wasn't this bridge shown in a chase scene near the end of "It's a Mad Mad Mad World"
Indeed!
http://picasaweb.google.com/111293404383775855107/IAMMMMWLocations#5660363481095296386
http://picasaweb.google.com/111293404383775855107/IAMMMMWLocations#5660363505384237826
That movie has several fan sites dedicated to plotting all the locations used in that movie.
http://www.gchudleigh.com/madworld.htm
http://picasaweb.google.com/111293404383775855107/IAMMMMWLocations
Ocean Boulevard eastbound from the existing bridge to downtown Long Beach is now closed for 2-3 years for demolition and construction. Motorists coming from San Pedro will now have to use Pico Ave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2mZAUQi0Ac