A years-in-the-making project to replace the Shoemaker Bridge, which connects drivers from Shoreline Drive and Seventh Street in downtown Long Beach to the 710 Freeway, took another step forward Tuesday, April 21.

The City Council unanimously approved an environmental impact report for the project.

Officials said during Tuesday’s meeting that construction is expected to begin in early 2023.

The new bridge will include a roundabout on its east side, which will continue to allow drivers from both Seventh Street and Shoreline Drive to access the highway.

In addition to replacing the bridge, which was built in 1954 and has structural and operational deficiencies, the project will also realign streets to create nearly four acres of park space to Cesar Chavez Park, which lies on the east side of Shoreline Drive and stretches from Ocean Boulevard north to Sixth Street.

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Southern California homebuilder sales jump 33% from pandemic low Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, whose First District includes the bridge, said she was happy to see progress being made on the project.

“This is something I personally am very excited to see moving forward,” she said, “especially looking at how this might expand park space in the First District.”

The city will request $14 million in Measure R funding from the California Transportation Commission for the project this summer. Officials then expect to complete the final design in the spring of 2022 before commencing construction the following year.

If all goes according to plan, the new project will be completed by the end of 2025.