Long Beach issues bridge environmental review

Long Beach issues bridge environmental review    The Port of Long Beach on Wednesday released a final environmental review of its proposed $1 billion project to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
   The aging bridge needs replacement to widen the number of lanes for truck traffic through the port as well as to raise the air draft below the traffic deck to allow larger ships to transit underneath and reach berths in Long Beach's inner harbor.
   The bridge, built in 1968, is a vital route for cargo, carrying about 15 percent of the nation's goods. It links Terminal Island — home to several container terminals in both the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles — with the Long Beach (710) Freeway, a key thoroughfare for container movement in Southern California.

Steinke

   'The bridge is obsolete and deteriorating,' said Port Executive Director Richard Steinke.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 environmental document is available here, and is scheduled on Aug. 9 to be considered for approval by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.