One lane of connector from Pico Ave to close 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 19-21

Lane closure and suggested detourOne lane of the access ramp from Pico Avenue to eastbound Ocean Boulevard will be closed from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 and Tuesday, Aug. 20, near the Gerald Desmond Bridge, affecting traffic heading from the bridge to downtown Long Beach. A third day, Wednesday, Aug. 21, may be added to the lane closure schedule if needed.

Eastbound morning rush-hour commuters should plan for delays or try alternate routes to reach downtown Long Beach from the Terminal Island area.

The Port of Long Beach is closing the lane temporarily to allow for soil sampling at the site of a future bike path connector that will go from downtown Long Beach to the new bridge that will replace the Desmond Bridge.

The new bridge will include a 12-foot-wide bike and pedestrian path, with three observation areas, rising 205 feet over the Back Channel for panoramic views of the Port. The connector to downtown Long Beach will allow cyclists to easily access the new bridge’s bike path.