While visiting the city, be sure to take a look at the bridges in Los Angeles to get to know their history and how they were built in the past.
Vincent Thomas Bridge
The Vincent Thomas Bridge is one of 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 built from 14,000 tons of steel, 1,200 tons of suspension wire and 92,000 tons of concrete. Before the bridge was opened, the only possible 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 are a popular culture buff, the Gerald Desmond Bridge is a total must see attraction. This famous bridge was employed in the film Head. The film features the first devotion 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 has a suspension over the center of the bridge. In 2010, the city authorized replacing the bridge at a cost of $800 million. Completion is lined up for the year 2016.
Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge
One of the more interesting Los Angeles bridges is the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge. Found in the Port of LA, 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 allows easy access to boats and ships traveling through the Port of Los Angeles. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has been featured in television and film. Most notably in the 2010 film Formation. As you may be able to see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct architecture.
Vincent Thomas Bridge
The Vincent Thomas Bridge is one of 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 built from 14,000 tons of steel, 1,200 tons of suspension wire and 92,000 tons of concrete. Before the bridge was opened, the only possible 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 are a popular culture buff, the Gerald Desmond Bridge is a total must see attraction. This famous bridge was employed in the film Head. The film features the first devotion 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 has a suspension over the center of the bridge. In 2010, the city authorized replacing the bridge at a cost of $800 million. Completion is lined up for the year 2016.
Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge
One of the more interesting Los Angeles bridges is the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge. Found in the Port of LA, 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 allows easy access to boats and ships traveling through the Port of Los Angeles. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has been featured in television and film. Most notably in the 2010 film Formation. As you may be able to see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct architecture.
About the Author:
Greg Baker has been fascinated by Los Angeles landmarks for a few years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information about Los Angeles bridges please visit his site.