The Innovation Behind the Port’s Push for Modernization

The Gerald Desmond replacement bridge will open in 2018.

LOS ANGELES—It would seem that the Port of Long Beach is pushing for innovation and modernization at every turn. Its Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project is utilizing some innovative construction and design techniques, including a moving scaffolding system that has never before been used in bridge construction in the State of California. The new bridge will be significantly larger than the former bridge. It will stand 515 feet tall and 205 feet above the water, 50 feet higher than the old bridge, with is three traffic lanes moving in each direction, plus bike and pedestrian lanes. To found out about the construction innovation behind the new bridge, we sat down with Zeph Varley, senior engineer of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project for the Port of Long Beach. Here, Varley talks about the vision and construction of the new bridge.

GlobeSt.com: This bridge is utilizing some interesting design and construction techniques. Give me an overview of the bridge construction and how it is different.