Long Beach residents and commuters should prepare for a weekend shutdown of the northbound 710 Freeway as the Port of Long Beach begins demolition of the ramps that connect the Shoemaker Bridge to the harbor area. The closure starts at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 10, and will remain in effect until 5 a.m. on Monday, September 13. The work covers the stretch from Ocean Boulevard to Anaheim Street.
What drivers can expect
During the Friday‑to‑Monday closure, motorists traveling north or south on Pico Avenue and those heading north on Harbor Scenic Drive will be rerouted onto Ocean Boulevard. Drivers seeking the northbound 710 will follow signs to Long Beach Boulevard, then turn west on Anaheim Street to reach the freeway on‑ramp.
Port and Terminal Island traffic will be diverted around the work zone via Alameda Street and the Terminal Island Freeway (State Route 103). Trucks using Pier A Way, Pier B Street, and Harbor Scenic Drive will be directed west on Anaheim Street. Those coming from San Pedro on Pacific Avenue or John S. Gibson Boulevard will be guided east on Harry Bridges Boulevard, north on Alameda Street, and east on 220th Street to connect with the southbound 405 Freeway.
Upcoming closures
The Shoemaker Bridge itself will be closed from 10 p.m. on September 18 until 5 a.m. on September 21. After that, a second weekend closure will affect the southbound 710 Freeway from Anaheim Street to Pico Avenue, beginning at 10 p.m. on September 25 and ending at 5 a.m. on September 28.
When the bridge is closed, motorists will still be able to access both directions of the 710 Freeway at Anaheim Street. For the September 25‑28 southbound closure, passenger vehicles will generally be routed through downtown Long Beach using Shoreline Drive, Broadway, Magnolia Avenue, and Ocean Boulevard to reach the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge. Trucks will primarily use Pacific Coast Highway, the Terminal Island Freeway, and Alameda Street.
Alternative routes
Since the ramps were shut in May, drivers have been using alternate corridors such as Willow Street, Pacific Coast Highway, Anaheim Street, Ocean Boulevard, and the Queensway Bridge. Except during the September 18‑21 bridge closure, the Shoemaker Bridge remains accessible from West Seventh Street, West Third Street, West Ocean Boulevard, and West Shoreline Drive east of the Los Angeles River.
Signs will be posted throughout the affected areas to guide motorists along the detour routes. The city of Long Beach is also replacing the Shoemaker Bridge as part of a separate infrastructure project, ensuring a modern, safer crossing for future traffic.
Why the work matters
Removing the aging ramps is a critical step toward improving safety and efficiency for both commercial and passenger traffic in the harbor district. The demolition prepares the site for the new bridge replacement, which will better accommodate the growing volume of trucks and commuters that rely on the 710 corridor to connect Long Beach with the broader Southern California freeway network.
Port officials stress that the staged weekend closures are designed to minimize disruption while allowing crews to work safely and efficiently. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, check real‑time traffic updates, and follow posted signage to avoid delays.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
