In a sign of the multi-modal times, the latest plans for Long Beach's Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement include a bicycle and pedestrian walkway. The Long Beach city council approved the project in 2010 and the final environmental impact report is set to be reviewed by the Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission next week, according to the Bikeable Communities blog. They say that "As far as we are aware this includes everything that the bicycling and pedestrian communities asked to be included."
The EIR describes the proposed bike path: "A single, continuous, non-motorized Class I bikeway (bike path) connecting SR 47 to Pico Avenue. The Class I bikeway shall be a minimum of 12 feet wide, and signed and striped for two-way movement. The Class I bikeway shall be located along the south side of the main span and approach bridges, and shall be essentially the same elevation as the bridge deck. Protective railings shall be of an open design that provides and protects public views from the bridge." BC notes that the proposed bike path does not connect to the LA River trail (which, in turn, connects to Downtown LA), although port planners have already begun to consider ways to make the connection.
At one point, construction on the new bridge was expected to begin this year, but a request for proposals for a design-build contractor was only sent out this past fall. The bids are expected to come in in February, and a contractor will be picked in March. The bridge is scheduled to open in March 2016.
· Port of Long Beach to approval EIR with Bike and Ped Path for Gerald Desmond Bridge [Bikeable Communities]
· Who Will Design the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement? [Curbed LA]
· The Fight to Replace Long Beach's Aging "Bridge to Everywhere" [Curbed LA]
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