Regional Boards > Pacific Southwest
CA 47 and the Vincent Thomas Bridge
heynow415:
--- Quote from: Occidental Tourist on May 27, 2023, 03:22:38 AM ---I know that the bridge authority contemplated adding a second deck to the Golden Gate Bridge for awhile to accommodate more traffic, and actually commissioned a study in the 60’s that concluded it was feasible with only a few engineering changes to the existing structure.
I believe the idea was to add the second deck below the Golden Gate’s existing one. I’m not sure that would be duplicable with the Vincent Thomas Bridge given the current height of the existing deck and the shipping traffic that passes underneath. My recollection is that the Vincent Thomas is about 50’ closer to the water than the Golden Gate, owing to the Golden Gate’s approaches being elevated on bluffs and the Vincent Thomas’s east approach being essentially at sea level. Given the clearance issue, I have no idea of the differences in engineering concepts of building a second deck on top of the existing roadway deck as opposed to below it like was contemplated for the Golden Gate. And as is pointed out above, even though they are both suspension bridges, the design and materials of the Golden Gate could be different enough from the Vincent Thomas so that while the Golden Gate could safely accommodate a second deck, the Vincent Thomas could not.
So I agree that in all likelihood it’s a pipe dream. Actually, even if it could be accomplished as an engineering feat, it’s still a pipe dream in this day and age of shifted transportation priorities.
--- End quote ---
The big difference with the Golden Gate Bridge that made it even feasible to consider a second deck (or adding BART underneath, which was also under consideration at the time) is that the original bridge deck was steel. Replacement of that with concrete lessened the dead load of the roadway considerably and evenly across the span.
Plutonic Panda:
Been driving through this area a lot and there is a lot of projects they still need to complete to make this area move more efficiently. A direct connector Y interchange at CA-47 would help. Converting Navy Way to a grade separated interchange is another. Widening the 710 to 3 lanes each way from the to the new bridge as well as removing left exits to Long Beach.
The Vincent Thomas bridge also needs to be replaced and made three lanes each way. It’s been packed every time I’ve been on it.
This is one of the most important ports in the country. We need to do better with the surface infrastructure we have here.
Plutonic Panda:
It looks like there are some opposition to this project and how it is going to be handled: https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/archives/2023/07/20/vincent-thomas-bridge-5/45607
Plutonic Panda:
So over the last few weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of time driving around this area and working for the ports for various projects. A fewof things I’ve noticed.
For the most part I 10 from the 405 to CA 47 seems to flow fairly well. Perhaps in additional lane or some auxiliary improvements could help during heavy traffic conditions, but otherwise it seems to flow pretty well most of the time.
The 10/I405 interchange is a complete joke, and needs to be converted to a full stack interchange.
Several areas along the stretch, need extended acceleration and deceleration lanes. Nothing too major other than the change I mentioned at the 405 which would easily be $1 billion project.
The Saint Thomas Vincent Bridge, I think the best solution would be to twin the bridge and then once that’s finished move traffic over to the New bridge and rehabilitate the old one. it’s such a beautiful bridge and I would hate to see it replaced.
If that were to happen, they need to make sure that a rail component can be added later on for passenger rail to connect San Pedro to Long Beach via an extended green line sometime in the future.
The Gaffey interchange needs to be reworked a bit.
The navy Way intersection needs to be converted to an interchange. That creates a lot of congestion on the Saint Thomas bridge for southbound traffic.
Even though it isn’t very long, direct connectors would be beneficial for the CA 47 freeway which would get rid of a lot of idling trucks that sit and wait at the signals.
pderocco:
--- Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 30, 2023, 03:17:17 AM ---For the most part I 10 from the 405 to CA 47 seems to flow fairly well. Perhaps in additional lane or some auxiliary improvements could help during heavy traffic conditions, but otherwise it seems to flow pretty well most of the time.
--- End quote ---
You mean I-405 from the 10 to CA-47?
--- Quote from: Plutonic Panda on September 30, 2023, 03:17:17 AM ---The 10/I405 interchange is a complete joke, and needs to be converted to a full stack interchange.
--- End quote ---
It is a full stack interchange.
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