The Port of Long Beach in California, USA, has released a draft environmental impact report on proposals for the US$1.1 billion replacement of the obsolete and deteriorating Gerald Desmond Bridge.
Problems with the existing arch bridge include spalling concrete in many areas, which has required the installation of netting to protect facilities and workers below. The new bridge would be a cable-stayed design, with a total length of 610m and main span of 306m. The west and east approach structures would be 950m and 925m respectively.
Early studies had determined that a cable-stayed design would be the best option for the site and further reviews narrowed down the design to two pylons with single masts.
The report has been prepared by the Port of Long Beach and California's transport authority, Caltrans, together with consultants including Parsons and HNTB.
