PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Commuters accessing the northbound 710 Freeway from Downtown Long Beach should expect delays due to a temporary closure of the northbound right-hand lanes of Shoemaker Bridge. The closure includes the bridge’s off-ramp to Ninth Street in West Long Beach.

Put in place as a precaution, the lane closures will likely remain until crews can repair damage to the underside of the bridge where it passes over the connector from the eastbound Long Beach International Gateway Bridge to the northbound 710 Freeway.

The closures began Monday, Jan. 29, after cargo carried by a truck traveling on the northbound connector struck the underside of Shoemaker Bridge. Out of an abundance of caution, the outside lane closest to the damage was closed and will remain closed until further notice. A map is available here.

Shoemaker Bridge connects Downtown Long Beach and Shoreline Drive to the 710 Freeway. Delays should be expected by motorists who use northbound Shoreline Drive and Shoemaker Bridge from the Ocean Boulevard, Third Street and Seventh Street on-ramps.

A preliminary assessment determined that the southbound lanes of Shoemaker Bridge and the connector from the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge to the 710 North can remain at this time. Once the full assessment is complete and repairs scheduled, there likely will be full closures in the immediate area so that repairs can be carried out. Should any additional closures be deemed necessary, the City will share details of the closures at a later date.

The City of Long Beach is in the process of planning a full replacement of Shoemaker Bridge and recently unveiled proposed designs for the replacement. More information on the future bridge replacement is available on the project webpage.

Media inquiries may be directed to Lee Peterson, Port of Long Beach Media Relations Manager, at lee.peterson@polb.com.