| California 710 south |
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After splitting from Interstate 210 (Foothill Freeway), the first exit along southbound Interstate 710 is Exit 32C, Historic U.S. 66 (Colorado Boulevard) to downtown Pasadena (the first of three exits from the stub freeway). This ramp links to Saint John Avenue, a one-way frontage road that connects with Historic U.S. 66 (Colorado Boulevard). Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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Since California 710 only extends for about a mile after the split from Interstate 210, only one lane carries traffic south to Del Mar Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard. The other lanes that would otherwise be in use are barricaded from use. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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Passing through the massive stack interchange, southbound California 710 approaches its final two exits: Exit 32B, Del Mar Boulevard and Exit 32A, California Boulevard. The freeway ends as all traffic is diverted onto Exit 32A. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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A mileage sign provides the distance to the final two exits on California 710 south: Exit 32B, Del Mar Boulevard and Exit 32A, Colorado Boulevard. The next three overpasses carry Union Street, Historic U.S. 66 (Colorado Boulevard), and Green Street over the freeway. Traffic from Interstate 210 west merges onto California 710 south at this point. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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Traffic from California 134 east merges onto California 710 south as the stub freeway passes under Green Street. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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Southbound California 710 reaches Exit 32B, Del Mar Boulevard. The left two lanes continue south to transition directly onto Exit 32A, California Boulevard. To California 110 (Pasadena Freeway) south, use California 710 south to California Boulevard, then turn left (east) on California Boulevard to Arroyo Parkway south. Arroyo Parkway transitions directly onto California 110 (Pasadena Freeway) (Arroyo Seco Parkway) south to downtown Los Angeles. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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Quickly thereafter, southbound California 710 approaches its end, with the final off-ramp at Exit 32A, California Boulevard. The freeway ends as all traffic is diverted onto Exit 32A. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
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All traffic approaches a traffic signal between southbound California 710 and California Boulevard. A California 110 trailblazer points east onto California Boulevard. For now, this marks the end of California 710 pending construction of a tunnel under South Pasadena. Such a tunnel is likely years away ... assuming it is even built given the controversial nature of the proposed project. Photo taken 11/14/04. |
| Interstate 710 south |
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A left turn from Valley Boulevard connects onto Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south. This intersection marks the northern terminus of Interstate 710. The freeway originates in the city of Alhambra, which incorporated on July 11, 1903, and had a population of 85,804 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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The first interchange along Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south is Exits 22B-A, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) west to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica and east to San Bernardino and Phoenix. Transcontinental Interstate 10 begins in Santa Monica and extends east to Jacksonville, Florida. Along its way, Interstate 10 serves such major cities as San Bernardino, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Cruces, El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Gulfport-Biloxi, Mobile, and Pensacola. Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south: Exits 22B-A, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) west to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica and east to San Bernardino and Phoenix; Exit 20C, Cesar Chavez Avenue; and Exit 20B, California 60 (Pomona Freeway). Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 22B, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) west to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The second off-ramp is for Exit 22A, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) east to San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Indio, and Phoenix. This sign has since been replaced with a reflective sign (albeit without exit numbers). Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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Buses may use the direct connection from Interstate 710 at Exit 22B to the Interstate 10 El Monte Busway. Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) next meets Exit 22A, Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) east to San Bernardino, Palm Springs, Indio, and Phoenix. This sign bridge was also replaced with a reflective sign. Photo taken 08/24/04. |
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Interstate 710 proceeds south through the Interstate 10 interchange and emerges with three southbound lanes. The freeway now enters the city of Monterey Park ("Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future"), which had a population of 60,051 as of the 2000 Census. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south: Exit 20C, Cesar Chavez Avenue; Exit 20B, California 60 (Pomona Freeway); and Exit 20A, Third Street and Humphreys Avenue. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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Cesar Chavez Avenue was originally known as Brooklyn Avenue. It was renamed in 1994 to honor the late labor leader Cesar E. Chavez. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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After Exit 20C (Cesar Chavez Avenue), the following interchange is a major freeway-to-freeway symmetrical stack interchange with California 60 (Pomona Freeway) at Exit 20B. A major east-west freeway, California 60 extends from the East Los Angeles Interchange (with Interstate 5, Interstate 10, and U.S. 101 in the city of Los Angeles) into East Los Angeles and points east, including Monterey Park, Montebello, South El Monte, Diamond Bar and Pomona before entering San Bernardino County. Although numbered as a successor to U.S. 60, the segment of California 60 freeway between Los Angeles and Pomona was largely built as California 60. U.S. 60 used to share pavement with U.S. 70-99 along today's Interstate 10 alignment between those two cities. East of Pomona, California 60 directly replaced U.S. 60, including some segments of freeway near Riverside that once were designated as part of U.S. 60. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 20C, Cesar Chavez Avenue. The next exit is Exit 20B, California 60 (Pomona Freeway) west to Los Angeles and Santa Monica and east to Pomona, Riverside, and Moreno Valley. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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Immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) meets the off-ramp to Exit 20B, California 60 (Pomona Freeway). This old sign had an Interstate 710 shield covering an old California 7 shield; parts of the California 7 sign are visible under the Interstate 710 sign. This sign has since been replaced. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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Three lanes carry traffic from Interstate 710 south to California 60. The right two lanes will connect to California 60 west to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, while the left lane will connect to California 60 east to Pomona. The combined network of Interstate 710 and California 60 provide an effective alternate route for traffic using Interstate 10 east through East Los Angeles. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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After a fairly long off-ramp (and after the off-ramp crosses over Cesar Chavez Avenue), the ramp divides, with the left lane connecting to California 60 east to Pomona and the right two lanes connecting to California 60 west to downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Upon merging onto California 60 west, the westbound Pomona Freeway feeds directly into Interstate 10 (Santa Monica Freeway) west en route to Santa Monica. Photo taken 06/17/06. |
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Back on the mainline (and after Exit 20A, Third Street off-ramp), the next exit along southbound Interstate 710 is Exit 19, Olympic Boulevard and Whittier Boulevard (former U.S. 101). Photo taken 01/14/07. |
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After the off-ramp to Exit 19, this mileage sign along southbound Interstate 710 provides the distance to the next three exits: Exit 18, Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Freeway) south (left exit); Exit 17B, Washington Boulevard; and Exit 17A, Atlantic Boulevard and Bandini Boulevard. Photo taken 12/27/01. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 18, Interstate 5 (Santa Ana Freeway) south (left exit). Interstate 5 travels southeast toward Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, and ultimately San Diego before crossing into Mexico at Tijuana. Photo taken 01/14/07. |
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The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) is Exit 17B, Washington Boulevard into the city of Commerce, one-quarter mile. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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During rush hours, Interstate 710 carries a good deal of traffic, and on this evening commute, the freeway was congested with car and truck traffic. Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 17B, Washington Boulevard. After this interchange, Interstate 710 departs the city of Commerce and enters the city of Vernon. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) is Exit 17A, Bandini Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. The right lane exits only to Exit 17A. Atlantic Boulevard comes in from the northeast and southwest, while Bandini Boulevard enters the area from the southeast and northwest. They both converge at the same spot as the Interstate 710 interchange. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 17A, Bandini Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. The ramp loops over Bandini Boulevard, then terminates at Bandini Boulevard facing north. Turn left for northwest Bandini Boulevard or right for southeast Bandini Boulevard, which connects to both directions of Atlantic Avenue. This is the only Vernon exit on Interstate 710. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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In addition to the freeway, power lines sweep through the Interstate 710 corridor, bringing power from generating plants in Long Beach and beach areas. These lines follow the Los Angeles River, which will now parallel Interstate 710 south to Long Beach. As Interstate 710 steers away from Vernon, the freeway enters the city of Bell and then reenters the city of Commerce briefly. Before reaching Exit 15, Interstate 710 acts as the border of Bell and Bell Gardens. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next three exits along southbound Interstate 710 are Exit 15, Florence Avenue; Exit 13, California 42/Firestone Boulevard; and Exit 12B, Imperial Highway. There is a several-mile gap between the Bandini/Atlantic Boulevards interchange and the Florence Avenue interchange. Note that California 42, which is decommissioned, still remains on this series of signs along southbound Interstate 710. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 next approaches Exit 15, Florence Avenue, which serves Bell (via westbound) and Bell Gardens (via eastbound). Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Use the right lane to exit from southbound Interstate 710 to Exit 15, Florence Avenue. Due to its terminus at the Long Beach and Los Angeles ports, Interstate 710 carries a significant number of trucks. Nevertheless, the highway remains congested due to the lack of major expansion projects. The proposed California 47/Industrial Freeway truck route may eventually take some vehicles off the 710 freeway, assuming it is constructed. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 15, Florence Avenue. Interstate 710 ceases to divide Bell and Bell Gardens; it now serves as the boundary between the cities of Cudahy on the west and Bell Gardens on the east. Exit 15 is a modified cloverleaf interchange. Once on the exit ramp, the first ramp connects to westbound Florence Avenue, and the second ramp connects to eastbound Florence Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next three exits along southbound Interstate 710 are Exit 13, California 42/Firestone Boulevard; Exits 12B-A, Imperial Highway; and Exit 11, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 approaches Exit 13, California 42/Firestone Boulevard. California 42 is legislatively decommissioned, but signs such as this one still feature the state route shield. According to the 1999 California State Map book produced by Thomas Guide, the sections of California 42 within the city of Los Angeles are still state routes; even the 2005 map still shows the state route within the Los Angeles city limits. But here in Bell, the route is decommissioned. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Now reaching Exit 13, southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) meets former California 42 at the Firestone Boulevard interchange. Unlike the previous advance signs, the California 42 shield is omitted from this sign. Interstate 710 leaves Bell Gardens/Cudahy and enters South Gate. Exit 13 is almost a full cloverleaf, except for southbound, which has only one off-ramp. All other directions have two connecting ramps. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 is Exits 12B-A, Imperial Highway, 1.25 miles. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 710: Exits 12B-A, Imperial Highway; Exit 11B, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; and Exit 11A, Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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As the power lines cross over Interstate 710, the Long Beach Freeway crosses over the Los Angeles River. From here south to Long Beach, the freeway will remain to the west of the river. The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 is Exit 12B, Imperial Highway, but this sign advises of the pending major interchange with Interstate 105/Anderson Freeway at Exit 11A in 1.25 miles. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 12B, Imperial Highway west to Lynwood (via a ramp to parallel Wright Road, then south to Imperial Highway). A direct connection to eastbound Imperial Highway is provided at Exit 12A. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Most of the Interstate 710 and Imperial Highway interchange is cloverleaf, with the exception of the ramp from southbound to westbound. A more traditional cloverleaf loop ramp provides the connection from southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) to Imperial Highway eastbound to Downey. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 is Exit 11B, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, 0.75 mile. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound Interstate 710: Exit 11B, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard; Exit 11A, Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway; and Exit 10, Rosecrans Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 11B, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard west into Lynwood. The next exit is Exit 11A, Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson Freeway. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 11A, Interstate 105/Glenn Anderson (Century) Freeway west to Los Angeles International Airport and El Segundo and east to Norwalk. The east-west freeway links Interstate 605, Interstate 710, Interstate 110, and Interstate 405 together. The interchange between Interstate 710 and Interstate 105 (Exit 11A) is a symmetrical stack interchange; exit right to reach either east or west Interstate 105. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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After that, southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 10, Rosecrans Avenue. To facilitate traffic flow between Interstate 710 and Interstate 105, the off-ramp for Exit 10 to Rosecrans Avenue is located prior to passing under the stack interchange, even though Rosecrans Avenue itself is located south of Interstate 105 and is parallel to the east-west freeway. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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View of the Interstate 710 and Interstate 105 symmetrical stack interchange as seen along southbound Interstate 710. This interchange is split evenly between Lynwood (west) and Paramount (east); Interstate 710 will enter Paramount briefly at Exit 9 before skirting Compton and finally entering Long Beach just prior to Exit 9A, California 91/Gardena & Artesia Freeways. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next five exits along southbound are Exits 9B-A, Alondra Boulevard; Exit 8B, California 91 (Artesia Freeway) east; Exit 8A, California 91 (Gardena Freeway) west; and Exit 7B, North Long Beach Boulevard. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The right lane exits only onto Exit 9B, Alondra Boulevard west to Compton. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 9B, Alondra Boulevard west; the next exit is Exit 9A, Alondra Boulevard east to Paramount and Bellflower. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Shortly thereafter, southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 9A, Alondra Boulevard east to Paramount. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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The next exit along southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) is Exit 8B, California 91 (Artesia Freeway) east, followed by Exit 8A, California 91 (Gardena Freeway) west. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next five exits along southbound are Exit 8B, California 91 (Artesia Freeway) east; Exit 8A, California 91 (Gardena Freeway) west; Exits 7B-A, North Long Beach Boulevard; and Exit 6, Del Amo Boulevard. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Entering the city of Long Beach, I-70 south reaches Exit 8B for California 91 (Artesia Freeway) east to Riverside and San Bernardino. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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After Exit 8B, the next ramp connects southbound Interstate 710 to Exit 8A, California 91 (Gardena Freeway) west to the beach cities. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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This picture shows the transition ramp from Interstate 710 south to California 91. The ramp provides a view of the Los Angeles River and its parallel Southern California Edison power lines. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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An off-ramp to Atlantic Avenue is available from the transition ramp from southbound Interstate 710 to eastbound California 91. Ahead, the transition ramp links onto California 91 east. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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Back on mainline Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south, the next four exits along southbound are Exits 7B-A, Long Beach Boulevard; Exit 6, Del Amo Boulevard; and Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway). Photo taken 09/28/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 7B, Long Beach Boulevard north. The second exit is Exit 7A, Long Beach Boulevard south. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 7A, Long Beach Boulevard south. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next three exits along southbound are Exit 6, Del Amo Boulevard; Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway); and Exit 3, Willow Street. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Del Amo Boulevard extends east through Long Beach into Lakewood and west into unincorporated Rancho Dominguez and Carson. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 6, Del Amo Boulevard. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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The next exit along southbound is Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway), 1.25 miles. Note that this newer sign omits the freeway name. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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This mileage sign along Interstate 710 provides the distance to the next three exits along southbound are Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway); Exit 3, Willow Street; and Exit 2, California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Use the off-ramp to Exit 4 (primarily for the connection to Interstate 405) also to connect to Wardlow Road. Wardlow Road parallels Interstate 405 to the south of Interstate 405; a ramp connects Interstate 710 to Wardlow Road via Exit 4. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 approaches Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway). Southbound Interstate 405 leads east toward Orange County, while northbound Interstate 405 leads west to Carson and Torrance. Photos taken 09/28/08 and 07/06/04. |
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This roadside sign for Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway), is placed on the approach to the exit ramp. The interchange between Interstate 710 and Interstate 405 is almost a cloverleaf, with the southeastern quadrant loop missing. As a result, this interchange is frequently congested and very busy. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 reaches Exit 4, Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway) and Wardlow Road. Note the extensive use of green overlays to cover the original signage. Stay in the far right lane for northbound Interstate 405. Photos taken 09/28/08 and 07/06/04. |
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Now on the transition ramp from Interstate 710 south to Interstate 405, use the right lane for Interstate 405 north and the left lane for Interstate 405 south and Wardlow Road. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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After north Interstate 405 departs from Interstate 710 south, the collector distributor lane passes under the Interstate 405 freeway, and a loop ramp will exit to the right to carry traffic onto southbound Interstate 405 (San Diego Freeway). Continue straight ahead for Wardlow Road (see that off-ramp two boxes below). Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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This gore point sign is located at the bottom of the loop ramp to southbound Interstate 405. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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After making the loop and passing over Interstate 710 yet prior to merging with Interstate 405 south, an off-ramp connects to Pacific Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/04. |
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Returning to the Exit 4 collector distributor lanes, a third off-ramp (after the Interstate 405 south ramp) links to Wardlow Road in Long Beach. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Back on mainline Interstate 710 south, this mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along southbound: Exits 3B-A, Willow Street; Exit 2, California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway); and Exit 1D, Anaheim Street. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 3B, Willow Street west. The second exit is Exit 3A, Willow Street east. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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Immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 710/Long Beach Beach Freeway reaches Exit 3A for Willow Street. The following exit is Exit 2, California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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This mileage sign provides the distance to the next four exits along southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway): Exit 2, California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway); Exit 1D, Anaheim Street; and Exit 1C, Shoreline Drive south to downtown Long Beach. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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To the Cruise Ship Terminal, use Harbor Scenic Drive/Queen Mary Exit 1B. Despite its name, the Pacific Coast Highway remains several miles north of the actual coastline through Long Beach. Photo taken 09/28/08. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 2, California 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). This interchange is a modified cloverleaf, with a separate ramp to California 1 north and south. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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This view shows how the off-ramp to Exit 2 splits between California 1 north and south as seen from the main lanes of Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south. Photo taken 09/28/08. |
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Passing under the California 1 overpass, overhead signage appears for the link to California 1 south. Both California 1 and Interstate 405 generally run east-west through Long Beach, while Interstate 710 travels north-south through this area. Ahead, Interstate 710 will approach a pivotal series of off-ramps that connect the busy freeway to downtown via Shoreline Drive south and Queen Mary and Cruise Ship Terminal via Harbor Scenic Drive south. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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The next four exits along southbound are Exits 1E-D, Anaheim Street west and east; Exit 1C, Shoreline Drive south to downtown Long Beach; and Exit 1B, Harbor Scenic Drive south to Queen Mary, Pico Avenue, and Piers B-E. Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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Use Exit 1E (Anaheim Street west) to Port of Long Beach Piers A and B and the community of Wilmington within the city of Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 1E, Anaheim Street west to Piers A and B and Wilmington (part of Los Angeles). Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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As the interchange with Anaheim Street is nearly a cloverleaf (missing a link from Anaheim Street east to Interstate 710 south), immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) meets Exit 1D, Anaheim Street east toward the Rose Park community of Long Beach. Stay left for Exit 1C to Shoreline Drive south to downtown Long Beach. This freeway spur provides the most direct route over the Los Angeles River (Shoemaker Bridge) to the Long Beach Central Business District, Convention Center, and Rainbow Harbor. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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In addition to showing the wrong exit number on the gore point for Exit 1D, this picture is notable for showing that the left off-ramp to Exit 1C, Shoreline Drive south to downtown Long Beach, departs the southbound freeway at nearly the same point where the loop ramp to Anaheim Street east also departs. Photo taken 09/28/08. |
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And so, immediately thereafter, Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south and Shoreline Drive split here, with traffic headed to downtown Long Beach staying left to depart at Exit 1C. Shoreline Drive aims southeast to cross the Shoemaker Bridge, then turns south on the east bank of the Los Angeles River to enter downtown Long Beach. Stay right for the continuation of Interstate 710 south to the Port of Long Beach, Cruise Ship Terminal, and Queen Mary. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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After the gore point for Exit 1C, this view shows a mileage sign for the two exits along Shoreline Drive south. Meanwhile, Interstate 710 south quickly approaches its next off-ramp: Exit 1B, Pico Avenue south to Port of Long Beach Piers B, C, D, and E. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Immediately thereafter, southbound Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 1B, Pico Avenue south to Port of Long Beach Piers B, C, D, and E. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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The next exit along Interstate 710 south is Exit 1A, Harbor Scenic Drive south to Queen Mary and Cruise Ship Terminal. Through traffic should merge left to follow Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south onto Ocean Boulevard and then west over the Gerald Desmond Bridge to Terminal Island. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Use Harbor Scenic Drive south to the Queen Mary and Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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The right two lanes of Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) south will connect to Exit 1A, Harbor Scenic Drive south to the Queen Mary and Cruise Ship Terminal, while the left two lanes follow Interstate 710 south to Terminal Island and the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 meets Exit 1A, Harbor Scenic Drive (to the Queen Mary and Cruise Ship Terminal). Photo taken 05/30/04. |
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After the Harbor Scenic Drive (Queen Mary) off-ramp, through traffic is defaulted onto a two-lane segment that curves Interstate 710 west onto Ocean Boulevard before ascending onto the Gerald Desmond Bridge, which in turn leads to the Port of Long Beach. Note the 710 bridge sign, which advises 1.99 miles of the route remains before the terminus at California 47. The exit numbers are not quite accurate as they relate to the route's mileage. Photos taken 09/28/08 and 05/30/04. |
| Interstate 710 south/Ocean Boulevard west |
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Traffic from Ocean Boulevard joins the freeway from the left and from Pico Avenue from the right. Now on the ascent to the Gerald Desmond Bridge, this mileage sign provides the distance to the final two exits on Interstate 710 south: Exit 0B, Pier T and Exit 0A, California 47 (Alameda Street) north, California 103 (Terminal Island Freeway) north, and California 47 (Seaside Freeway) south (west) to San Pedro. In 2004, this section of Interstate 710 south was briefly signed as "TO California 47 (Terminal Island Freeway)." The portion of Interstate 710 that overlaps Ocean Boulevard and the Gerald Desmond Bridge is owned by the city of Long Beach and is maintained by the Port of Long Beach (hence why the Caltrans exit numbering does not extend south of the Harbor Scenic Drive exit). Photos taken 05/02/10, 07/13/09, 09/28/08, and 05/30/04. |
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A few California 47 trailblazers were temporarily posted on the bridge in both directions at that time due to construction along Alameda Street at that time; these signs are now gone. The Gerald Desmond Bridge carries Interstate 710 over the Back Channel and on to Terminal Island. The Gerald Desmond Bridge is so named for a former Long Beach City Councilmember and City Attorney. The bridge is suspended about 250 feet above water, and it was completed in 1968. This height is actually considered to be too low for some container ships to pass safely underneath the bridge. The other bridges to Terminal Island were built in the middle of the 20th century. (The two California 47 bridges also serve Terminal Island: the Vincent Thomas Bridge was built in 1964 and the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Lift Bridge was built in 1946.) In 2004, advocates of the economic development of the Long Beach area petitioned the federal government for $745 million from the TEA-21 Reauthorization for the Interstate 710 Corridor/Gerald Desmond Bridge Gateway project. This upgrade to bring the span to a six-lane freeway standard on a cable-stay bridge. This new bridge would be Interstate standards, which is seen as vital due to the significant container traffic that originates at the port and travels north via Interstate 710 to Interstate 10 and beyond. A pedestrian walkway is available on the south side of this major bridge. Photos taken 05/30/04, 02/02/08, 09/28/08, 07/13/09, and 05/02/10. |
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After passing through the suspended strands that hold the Gerald Desmond Bridge above the water, Terminal Island and the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles come into view. Interstate 710 descends from the bridge to an interchange with California 47, which marks its southern terminus. Once a new bridge is constructed in this location, the existing Gerald Desmond Bridge will be demolished (in accordance with an agreement reached by the city of Long Beach and Caltrans in March 2001). The next off-ramp from Interstate 710 south is Exit 0B, Pier T. Photos taken 02/02/08 and 05/30/04. |
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Industry abounds in all directions, with nearby piers, transfer points for rail and truck cargo to ships, power generation facilities, refineries, and plenty of ancillary businesses. A line of massive cranes lines the waterfront to the south of Ocean Boulevard (Interstate 710). Photo taken 05/02/10. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Ocean Boulevard) meets the off-ramp for Pier T before the freeway touches down on Terminal Island. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Passing under the off-ramp to Pier T, a pair of signs advise of the final interchange along Interstate 710 south. Traffic continuing west along California 47 (Seaside Freeway) south should stay in the left two lanes, while all traffic for California 47 and California 103 north should stay right for Exit 0A. Photo taken 02/02/08. |
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The right lane of Interstate 710 (Ocean Boulevard) south becomes exit only for Exit 0A, California 47/Port Access Expressway and Alameda Corridor north and California 103 (Terminal Island Freeway) north. The left two lanes will connect directly onto California 47 (Seaside Freeway) west to the Vincent Thomas Bridge and San Pedro. Photo taken 07/13/09. |
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Southbound Interstate 710 (Ocean Boulevard) (Long Beach Freeway) reaches Exit 0A, California 47-103 (Terminal Island Freeway) north to the Heim Lift Bridge, Alameda Corridor, and California 103 (Terminal Island Freeway) to Willow Street. Use this exit for Pier S Avenue. Stay left for the continuation of Ocean Boulevard, which becomes Seaside Freeway upon crossing the city limits of Los Angeles and entering the Port of Los Angeles. This interchange marks the southern terminus of Interstate 710, although there is no end shield present. Photo taken 05/02/10. |
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Back in 2004, the interchange between Interstate 710 and California 47-103 was incomplete. At that time, California 47 was being constructed to expressway standards along Alameda Street as part of the Alameda Corridor project. As a result, road closures along the Terminal Island Freeway were occasionally necessary. The latter two pictures show the former at-grade intersection that used to exit here between Interstate 710 (Ocean Boulevard) and California 47-103 (Terminal Island Freeway) north. Photos taken 05/30/04. |
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This series of photos shows the left exit to California 47 (Seaside Freeway) west to the Port of Los Angeles, Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro, and Rancho Palos Verdes. After crossing over the Terminal Island Freeway (Port Access Expressway), traffic from California 47 south merges onto Ocean Boulevard/Seaside Freeway. California 47 proceeds west into the Port of Los Angeles. No end shield for Interstate 710 south is posted here. Photos taken 02/02/08. |
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This series of photos profiles the connection from Interstate 710 south to California 47-103 north and Pier S Avenue. Departing Interstate 710 at Exit 0A, the off-ramp immediately widens to four lanes. Turn left to Berth T136 and Gate 2. Continue straight ahead to Pier S Avenue. Turn right here for California 47-103 (Terminal Island Freeway) north. Originally this was an at-grade intersection (see the 2004 pictures); now it is a diamond interchange. To the north, California 47 (Terminal Island Freeway) (Port Access Expressway) proceeds north over the Heim Bridge, then splits: California 47 turns northwest to connect with the Alameda Corridor, while California 103 follows the Terminal Island Freeway a short distance northeast before ending at Willow Street. Photos taken 05/02/10 and 07/13/09. |
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