Bridge replacement project also closes northbound SR-47 for weekend
The long-term detour of westbound Ocean Boulevard at Pico Avenue will start at 8 a.m., Saturday, March 18, diverting traffic heading west to the Gerald Desmond Bridge from downtown Long Beach. The detour diverts vehicles off at Pico, and straight back onto the westbound bridge. The westbound Ocean detour – with new traffic signals and a realigned on-ramp – is needed for construction of the replacement bridge, and will be in place until the westbound lanes of the new bridge open, which is scheduled in 2018. Two other bridge-area routes will be closed for the weekend only. Starting 7 p.m., Friday, March 17, and continuing through 6 a.m., Monday, northbound State Route 47 (SR-47) will be closed from Ocean Boulevard. The off-ramp from the westbound Desmond Bridge to SR-47 will also be closed for the weekend. The detour for the northbound SR-47 is to head north to the 710 Freeway. The detour for the off-ramp is to continue west on Ocean to the Ferry Street exit, and then take eastbound Ocean to the Pier S Avenue exit to reach Piers S and T and New Dock Street. Additional closures that had been previously announced for the March 17-20 weekend have been postponed..