New POLB Bridge Lauded by Engineering, Public Works Groups

Officials at the Port of Long Beach during the first stop of a national “Engineering and Public Works Roadshow.” The Long Beach International Gateway Bridge can be seen in the background. Photo: POLB.

The Long Beach International Gateway Bridge – the two-year-old span connecting the Port of Long Beach to surrounding areas – has been honored for contributing to the national economy as a vital link in the global supply chain by three leading organizations representing designers and public operators of U.S. infrastructure.

Representatives from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Public Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers visited the Port of Long Beach on Nov. 28 as the first stop of a national “Engineering and Public Works Roadshow” that recognizes how critical infrastructure projects benefit the nation’s economy, jobs and environment.

“The need to invest in port infrastructure has never been greater, and we appreciate being recognized for building a bridge that is both visually stunning and critically important to the global supply chain,” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said.

“The Port of Long Beach is committed to building infrastructure to meet the challenges that lie ahead and maintain our status as a leading gateway for trans-Pacific trade,” he added.

Built to last 100 years as a critical piece of infrastructure to sustain long-term growth at the port, the bridge is high enough to allow large ships to easily access Long Beach’s Inner Harbor. The six-lane span is used by truckers to haul about 15% of America’s containerized imports. It also serves as a commuter thoroughfare.

By Mark Edward Nero