Deadline Near for Comment on Bridge Project
Public has until March 22 to give input on Gerald Desmond

The deadline for public comments on the Gerald Desmond Bridge revised draft environmental impact report is approaching. The public is invited to submit comments by 4:30 p.m., March 22, 2010.

The Gerald Desmond Bridge is an important transportation link both for the local seaports and for the commuters of Southern California. However, the 40-year-old bridge is obsolete and deteriorating. The revised draft environmental impact report, or EIR, outlines the Port’s plans to increase safety and improve navigation with a replacement bridge.

With three traffic lanes plus emergency lanes in both directions, the new bridge would be safer and better able to accommodate cars and trucks on a major Southern California commuting route. The new bridge would be higher to allow for the newest generation of green cargo ships to pass underneath.

Replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge is an important part of the ongoing modernization of the Port of Long Beach. In addition, the $1.1 billion project would generate about $2.8 billion in economic activity and support, on average, 4,000 jobs a year during five years of construction.

The Port released the draft EIR on Feb. 4 and has held two public meetings since. Written comments on the EIR should be sent to Richard Cameron, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach, 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90802, or by e-mail to Cameron@polb.com.

For a project overview and links to the fact sheet, Q&A and the complete draft EIR, please visit www.polb.com/bridge.