BizFed supports the Port of Long Beach's $1.1 billion plan to replace the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge, a vital goods-movement and traffic connector for the region. The project is estimated to last five years and generate an average 4,000 jobs. Read the full text of BizFed's support letter to the Port:

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, we are writing to express our strong support for the Port of Long Beach’s proposed $1.1 billion replacement of the aging Gerald Desmond Bridge, one of the most vital transportation and goods-movement links for the region. 

The need for replacement is readily apparent: About 15 percent of the nation’s imports move across the bridge, but traffic has become increasingly clogged. Protective netting is needed to catch pieces of concrete that fall from the deteriorating bridge. There are no safety lanes for emergency vehicles. And improvements are urgently needed to ensure the Port remains competitive in an increasingly fierce, global trading market. 

The Port of Long Beach’s plan to replace the Gerald Desmond Bridge will not only help ensure the safety of commuters and truck drivers, but also will help protect Southern California’s important role as the nation’s second-busiest seaport providing more than 315,000 high-quality regional jobs and moving more than $100 billion in goods a year.   

Your presentation to BizFed’s Board of Directors at its monthly meeting in March was enthusiastically received, and highlighted the urgent need for replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge as well as the Port of Long Beach’s successful track record and continuing commitment to responsible economic and environmental stewardship. 

BizFed is formally committed to helping ensure the bridge replacement moves forward and is offering the Port of Long Beach all support necessary in the coming months through the final EIR process.