Part of Ocean Boulevard to close for 36 months

[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Screen-Shot-2016-01-22-at-9.46.22-AM.png” credit=”Source: Desmond Bridge Replacement Project” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”Eastbound Ocean Boulevard between the Gerald Desmond Bridge and downtown Long Beach will be closed for up to three years starting Wednesday, Jan. 27. Through traffic will be detoured using Pico Avenue to rejoin Ocean Boulevard into downtown.” captionposition=”left”] As part of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project, eastbound Ocean Boulevard between the Desmond Bridge and downtown Long Beach will be closed for up to 36 months starting Wednesday, Jan. 27. Through traffic will be detoured using Pico Avenue to rejoin Ocean Boulevard into downtown.
A temporary, overnight closure of eastbound Ocean Boulevard from SR-47 to Golden Shore will take place from 9pm on Tuesday, Jan. 26 to 5am on Wednesday, Jan. 27 to prepare the roadway for the long-term detour. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to northbound SR-47.
In addition, there will be an overnight detour for traffic using westbound Ocean Boulevard at Golden Shore. From 9pm on Jan. 26 to 5am on Jan. 27, all westbound traffic will be diverted to Pico Avenue. Motorists will be able to rejoin westbound Ocean Boulevard using the on-ramp from Pico.
For the long-term eastbound Ocean Boulevard detour starting Jan. 27, commuters heading to downtown Long Beach from the Gerald Desmond Bridge will exit Ocean Boulevard to Pico Avenue and immediately rejoin Ocean via two signalized intersections, dedicated turn lanes and a new two-lane on-ramp. Diverting eastbound traffic allows westbound Ocean to remain open during construction, but motorists can expect a brief lane realignment using the eastbound lanes, according to officials representing the bridge project.
The northbound Long Beach (710) Freeway connector will remain open until further notice during the long-term closure of eastbound Ocean.
Closure dates and times are subject to change due to weather or construction delays. Dates and times will be updated via the LB Bridge mobile app and through social media.