Congresswoman Laura Richardson Announces that the Port of Long Beach is Under Construction to Receive Federal Financing to Replace Gerald Desmond Bridge

Press Release

Congresswoman Laura Richardson announced today that the Port of Long Beach has been selected to apply for a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge.

"I am very pleased that the Port of Long Beach project is one of five applicants selected to submit a TIFIA loan application, to the Department of Transportation to find a replacement for the Gerald Desmond Bridge. For over 40 years the Gerald Desmond Bridge has been the critical link between operations at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and an indispensible component of the national infrastructure. The transportation corridor served by Interstate 710 and the Gerald Desmond Bridge has a substantial impact upon the nation's economy since they carry approximately 15% and 10% of all U.S. waterborne volume, respectively."

Since taking office Congresswoman Richardson has called for the bridge to be replaced. She met frequently with senior administration officials and key congressional leaders and committees to discuss options, and remind them that the bridge currently has an "F" level of service rating during peak hours. It currently has a worse sufficiency rating than the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota, the home state of the former Chairman of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. The "diaper," or netting underneath the bridge to catch the falling debris, is a telling sign this funding is needed immediately.

"I have been working hard in Washington to get every dime I can to help fund this project. We need to start construction as soon as possible. Few, if any, projects have as much national significance as the Gerald Desmond bridge replacement project."

The Port of Long Beach plans to replace the bridge as part of a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Transportation. If approved, the loan would go toward financing part of the estimated total project cost of $960.2 million. The loan would also pay for the addition of a sixth travel lane and for leveling the approach grades onto the bridge.

Congresswoman Richardson is a Democrat from California's 37th District. She is a member of the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security. Her district includes Long Beach, Compton, Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Signal Hill.

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