Long Beach Port Tourist Attraction

A major new tourist attraction is coming to Long Beach that may help bring more revenue to the area, while making traffic more efficient. It even will be lit up at night and you'll be able to see Catalina from its overlooks.

"It will be dramatic and become an icon like the Queen Mary," predicted John Pope in Community Relations with the Port of Long Beach.

Construction began this year on the exciting 3-year project, which will replace the deteriorating, often-congested Gerald Desmond Bridge, connecting Terminal Island and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the 710 Freeway.

With twin 500-foot tall towers, the state's first "cable-stayed" bridge will be 50 feet higher (205 instead of 155, to allow vertical clearance for today's largest cargo ships), have three lanes in each direction (instead of the current two) plus emergency lanes, and have a bicycle/pedestrian path, with three overlooks offering stunning views.

The billion dollar project is being supported by the Port of Long Beach, Caltrans, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the US Department of Transportation. "It will better serve the over 68,000 vehicle trips a day," Pope said. "There also will be a reduction in the bridge's steep grades to further improve traffic flow."

Once completed in 2016, the older bridge will be torn down.

By going on a special Port of Long Beach Harbor Boat Tour, you'll be able to see the progress being made as the new structure starts to be created. You'll also see the gigantic container cargo ships (some 4 football fields or longer) that bring revenue to the port. They carry 8,000 to 13,000 containers. Some of the larger ships that will be able to come in, once the new bridge is built, will generate additional revenue and employment for the area.

Today, more than $5 billion a year in local, state and general federal taxes are generated from Port-related trade and nearly $14.5 billion in trade-related wages. More than 5,000 vessels visit the Port annually, representing over 140 shipping lines.

Long Beach is the second-busiest container seaport in the United States, handling trade valued at $155 billion annually, from autos, clothing and furniture to recycled material. The port is working to help reduce pollution. Officials said, since 2005, diesel pollution has decreased 75%. They are working with shipping lines encouraging them to use lesser polluting fuels and plug into electricity at the port.

One of the best parts of the port tour, which goes right by the majestic Queen Mary, is getting to see some of its 6 container terminals, with 66 huge gantry cranes that move more than 6 million container units a year. A crane operator often can move 30 containers (on or off ships) every hour, officials said.

The fascinating Port of Long Beach has 3,200 acres of land, 25 miles or waterfront, 10 piers and 80 berths. To find out how you can enjoy an incredible free Port of Long Beach Harbor Tour, go to polb.com