Sunday, 19 May 2013

Bridges in Los Angeles

By Greg Baker


Los Angeles isn't just for celebrity sight seeing. The town is home to many majestic and historic bridges. If you are planning a visit to the city, be sure to visit these popular bridges in LA.

Vincent Thomas Bridge

The Vincent Thomas Bridge is among the longest suspension bridges in Los Angeles. The bridge connects San Pedro with Terminal Island. Built in 1963, the bridge is 1.1 miles long. The bridge has a suspension span of over 1,500 feet. Building the Vincent Thomas Bridge was no small job. The bridge is made of 14,000 tons of steel, 1,200 tons of suspension wire and 92,000 tons of concrete. Before the bridge was opened, the sole way to reach Terminal Island was by ferry. The first value of the ferry was 5 cents. Men were known to swim the channel to get around paying the charge.

Gerald Desmond Bridge

If you're a popular culture buff, the Gerald Desmond Bridge is a total must see attraction. This famous bridge was employed in the movie Head. The film features the original dedication rite of the bridge. Gerald Desmond Bridge incorporates a through arch design. The bridge carries passengers across the Cerritos Channel and onto Terminal Island. Built in 1965, the bridge spans 410 feet and features a suspension over the centre of the bridge. In 2010, the town approved replacing the bridge at a cost of $800 million. Completion is booked for the year 2016.

Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge

One of the more fascinating Los Angeles bridges is the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge. Found in the Port of Los Angeles, the bridge was opened to traffic in 1948. The bridge has the honor of being the biggest vertical-lift bridge in the Western United States. The vertical-lift permits quick access to boats and ships traveling through the Port of LA. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has been featured in TV and film. Most notably in the 2010 film Formation. As you may be able to see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct design.




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