Gerald Desmond Bridge

The Long Beach Port Authority in the US has awarded a $650m contract to the SFI joint venture (JV) for engineering and construction of the new Gerald Desmond Bridge in California.

The SFI JV includes Shimmick Construction, FCC Construction and Impregilo. The new $1bn Gerald Desmond Bridge will replace the existing structure and boast an improved capacity to allow smooth movement of vehicles and reduce traffic congestion.

The SFI JV is expected to begin work on the final design and engineering of the bridge shortly, with construction starting in 2013.

California Department of Transportation District 7 director Mike Miles said that the new Gerald Desmond Bridge will be an essential part of the region’s infrastructure, which will play a vital role in California’s transportation and economic future.

"The Port Authority, the California Department of Transportation, the Los Angeles County Metro and the US Department of Transportation are funding the project."

"A design-build approach will expedite this project and helps us improve mobility for goods, people and services," Miles added.

The new, anti-seismic cable-stayed bridge will be 610-metres long, with a main span measuring between 300 metres and 2km, while long access viaducts will provide an important strategic link between the city and port.

Project work is not expected to disrupt the road, rail and shipping services to and from the port throughout the four-year-long construction period, which will feature the relocation of many subservices and solutions, including a thermoelectric power station, a large number of oil wells and a currently-in-service railway line.

The Port Authority, the California Department of Transportation, the Los Angeles County Metro and the US Department of Transportation are funding the project.

The bridge is planned to be completed in 2016.

Image: The existing Gerald Desmond Bridge in US. Photo: Courtesy of neighborhoods.org.