Gerald Desmond Bridge

The Gerald Desmond Bridge is an arch bridge across a waterway at Terminal Island in California, linking the Port of Long Beach to the mainland. The structure features twin steel arches and carries five lanes of traffic across a span of roughly 1,585 meters (5,200 feet).

The bridge opened in 1968, replacing a temporary pontoon bridge from World War II that was originally planned for six months. After decades of service, it was demolished in 2023 and replaced by a new cable-stayed crossing.

This crossing takes its name from a Long Beach city attorney who secured funding from tideland oil revenues for the construction. The financing enabled a permanent link between the island and the mainland across a wide waterway.

Until its removal, the structure primarily served heavy truck traffic and container shipments moving to and from the port facilities. Pedestrians and bicycles were not permitted, as the route was dedicated to cargo and vehicle transport.

The structure appeared in the 1968 film Head featuring rock group The Monkees during a sequence. Before demolition, it was crossed by a future winner of the US television series Survivor while traffic was still flowing.

Official opening: 1968

GPS coordinates: 33.76444,-118.22111

Latest update: December 6, 2025 11:00