Friday, May 17, 2013

Take Some Time To Check Out Bridges in Los Angeles

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By Greg Baker


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 little job. The bridge is made of 14,000 tons of steel, 1,200 tons of suspension wire and 92,000 tons of concrete. Before the bridge was opened, the only way to reach Terminal Island was by ferry. The original cost of the ferry was five cents. Men were known to swim the channel to avoid paying the charge.

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 town authorized replacing the bridge at a price 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. Located in the Port of L. A. , 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 easy accessibility to boats and ships traveling through the Port of LA. Like the Gerald Desmond Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge has been featured in TV and film. Most particularly in the 2010 film Formation. As you can see, Los Angles bridges are renowned for their distinct architecture.




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