The Port of Long Beach looks set to approve the EIR with Bike and Ped Path for Gerald Desmond Bridge

Another major milestone along the path to build a separated bicycle and pedestrian facility on the replacement for the Gerald Desmond Bridge will occur on December 19 when the Long Beach harbor commission meets to review and  approve the Final Environmental Impact Report for the bridge.

The revised EIR includes two elements, the bike and ped path and noise control requirements associated with pile-driving and drilling activities

The city of Long Beach bicycle staff meet with port planners and a representative of the California Coastal Commission to get a preview of what will be presented to the harbor commissioners as well as to talk about next steps in building the path as well as connecting it into downtown Long Beach.

Below is the wording that is contained in the revised EIR.  As far as we are aware this includes everything that the bicycling and pedestrian communities asked to be included.

PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION, the permittee (Port of Long Beach) shall submit to the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission for review and approval, one (1) full size set of final project plans approved by the Port of Long Beach, which shall clearly depict the inclusion of a Class I bikeway as described in Section 20 (Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities) of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Design-Build Request for Proposals dated September 2, 2011.  The plans shall specifically include the following:

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.  The approximate western termination point for the Class I bikeway shall be at grade in the northeast quadrant of the SR 47 / Ocean Boulevard intersection.  The approximate eastern termination point for the Class I bikeway shall be at grade on the west side of Pico Avenue, at a location across from the intersection of Pico Avenue and the off-ramp from westbound Ocean Boulevard.

We are assuming that this will be approved by the Harbor Commissioners.

But having said that it would be good to have some supporters/advocates in the room to show strong support for this amendment and the inclusion of the bike and ped facilities in the final construction. We know that Mark would have been there to ensure the commissioners got the message…and to celebrate yet another milestone along the way.

A brief update on the time frame for the bridge

The RFP was sent out to four pre qualified bidders earlier this fall. The bids are expected to be returned to the Port by February with final contractor selection in March. Design will take 12 to 18 months. Opening of the bridge is scheduled for March 2016.

As of right now it is our full expectation that the bridge, when completed will include a class one bike and ped path that fully meets all of our expectations.

Connection to the LA River trail

One of the things that is not included in the plan is a connection to the LA River trail. The path as currently design ends at Pico Avenue, just west of the LA river. The purpose of the meeting meeting earlier this week with the Port Planners was to talk about the configuration of that landing and how it can be connected to the LA River trail and into downtown LA. The next steps will be to meet the Tidelands staff, who may have funding to create this connection, and then to conduct a workshop with the port on possible configurations for the connection as well as the wide variety of bike related projects that are planned for the 710/Ocean Ave Corridor area.

Please let us know if you have any questions. And we  look forward to seeing some of you at the Harbor Commission meeting on the 19th. The meeting will be held on the 6th floor of the Port headquarters at 5:00. The building is located just south of the Queen’s Way bridge at 925 Harbor Plaza, Long Beach.