The Port of Long Beach authority said that traffic routes leading to the Gerald Desmond Bridge will be closed for the Oct. 2-4 weekend to allow construction crews to switch lanes over to the new cable-stayed bridge and enable an opening of the new route by the morning of Monday, Oct. 5.
The lane switchover is the final major construction detour for the new bridge project. Motorists are encouraged to monitor the project’s website and social media channels for updates on the closure and the eventual opening of the new bridge.
Lane switchovers will occur at three key locations – at the western end where the bridge will connect to westbound Seaside Highway and SR-47; at the southern terminus of the 710 for both southbound and northbound travel; and at Ocean Boulevard for motorists leaving or traveling to downtown Long Beach.
Motorists are encouraged to subscribe to traffic alerts via the LBBridge app and www.newgdbridge.com, to be notified when the new bridge will open. The new bridge is expected to open no later than 6 a.m. on Oct. 5, but could open earlier if crews finish the lane switchover work earlier.