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 amongst 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 original value of the ferry was five cents. Men were known to swim the channel to get around paying the fee.
Gerald Desmond Bridge
If you're a popular culture buff, the Gerald Desmond Bridge is a must see attraction. This famous bridge was used in the film Head. The film features the original persistence 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 city authorised replacing the bridge at a cost of $800 million. Completion is scheduled 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 Los Angeles, the bridge was opened to traffic in 1948. The bridge has the honor of being the largest vertical-lift bridge in the Western United States. The vertical-lift allows quick access to boats and ships traveling through the Port of Los Angeles. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has also been featured in TV and film. Most significantly in the 2010 film Inception. As you can see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct design.
Vincent Thomas Bridge
The Vincent Thomas Bridge is amongst 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 original value of the ferry was five cents. Men were known to swim the channel to get around paying the fee.
Gerald Desmond Bridge
If you're a popular culture buff, the Gerald Desmond Bridge is a must see attraction. This famous bridge was used in the film Head. The film features the original persistence 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 city authorised replacing the bridge at a cost of $800 million. Completion is scheduled 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 Los Angeles, the bridge was opened to traffic in 1948. The bridge has the honor of being the largest vertical-lift bridge in the Western United States. The vertical-lift allows quick access to boats and ships traveling through the Port of Los Angeles. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has also been featured in TV and film. Most significantly in the 2010 film Inception. As you can see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct design.
About the Author:
Greg Baker has had an interest in Los Angeles landmarks for years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For full information about Los Angeles bridges feel free to visit his site.
