The project’s primary purpose is to address structural needs of the bridge deck. The structural needs of the bridge deck require the design to balance safety for all users and comply with current laws and regulations (refer to slide 17 in the February 5, 2026 community meeting presentation).

Public safety remains top priority. The bridge is currently safe for travel, and continues to be monitored. If conditions were to change in a way that raises safety concerns, the City would act promptly and responsibly to address them.

The existing multiuse lane (a combined merge/auxiliary/bike-lane) layout connecting to Appian Way fosters higher-speed interaction between motorists and cyclists that has resulted in conflicts. The proposed update will create a protected multi-use (pedestrian/bike) path on the outer edge of the bridge with the aim to reduce the risk of collisions that result in severe or fatal collisions, aligning with the project goal to improve safety within the area.

The City’s Safe Streets Long Beach Action Plan identified 2nd Street between Appian Way and Studebaker Road as ranking 8th on the City’s High Injury Network. During the study data period, there were 46 motorcycle and/or vehicle crashes and 6 crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries (refer to slide 31 in the February 5, 2026 community meeting presentation).

An update to the study is currently being drafted using the most recent data. Preliminary findings indicate that 2nd Street between Appian Way and Livingston Drive experience a high occurrence of vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents. This study update is still in progress and will be made available to the public when it is finalized.

We understand the community’s concern about congestion in the area. The team is reevaluating whether there are any additional feasible refinements or engineering solutions that are available within the project’s limited footprint, bridge, and roadway width.

Congestion in this area is largely a function of existing conditions, including peak-hour traffic moving through closely spaced signals between PCH and Marina Drive, the transition from higher-speed regional facilities into a local corridor, and the natural funneling that occurs east of the bridge where lanes shift and merge. During peak periods, highway volumes enter the segment concurrently, further contributing to queueing and stop-and-go conditions. The final configuration of the bridge deck replacement project is not expected to significantly affect travel times compared to current conditions, even if the outer multiuse lane along the north side of the bridge was reconfigured or repurposed.

Outside of this bridge deck replacement project, the Department of Public Works will continue working to improve signal progression and traffic flow. However, westbound traffic generally moves more freely beyond the 2nd Street and Marina Drive intersection, where the City has received concerns about high vehicle speeds.

The bridge will continue to carry through traffic in both directions during construction. After construction, the project maintains the bridge’s two westbound through lanes, consistent with how the corridor operates today, while improving predictability where traffic already merges. Proposed improvements to the bridge aim to achieve safety and structural improvements while keeping these critical intersections clear of obstructions.

The main source of funding is from a Highway Bridge Program (HBP) grant. These limited funds were promised in previous HBP funding cycles and are competitive on a national level. Above-average inflation is also affecting the cost of bridge projects overall. While HBP funds are limited to improvements within the project limits, the design addresses safety concerns where feasible within the project footprint.

Staff will incorporate feedback where feasible within the project footprint, budget, and legal requirements.

The City completed a traffic analysis and will re-review the forecast assumptions and results with the project team and subject matter experts as requested by the community.

If the outer multiuse lane along the north side of the bridge is reconfigured or repurposed, the traffic models below indicate that travel times along 2nd Street between Marina Drive and Naples Plaza would remain the same or increase by up to approximately five seconds, depending on the time of day and traffic volumes. Despite this minimal change, staff is continuing to evaluate options that maintain the dedicated Appian Way off-ramp while prioritizing a barrier-protected pedestrian and bicycle path on the bridge.

• 2nd Street Bridge Deck Replacement Traffic Studies - Marina Drive to Naples Plaza - Westbound Travel Time - February 2026
  • Morning
  • Midday
  • Evening

The bridge is planned to remain open to two-way traffic throughout construction through a phased staging approach. Access, both during and after construction, has been carefully evaluated as part of the project’s design and staging plan, with particular attention to emergency response needs during construction.

As part of standard practice, the City meets weekly or biweekly with the contractor to review safety, traffic control, and access. When traffic pattern changes or night work is required, advance notice is provided to residents, and close coordination occurs with first responders to support proper planning.

The Appian Way westbound off-ramp is anticipated to be temporarily closed during one of the four construction stages, however the construction plan prioritizes keeping it open for most of the time while work us underway. Please refer to slides 21 through 24 in the February 5, 2026 community meeting presentation.

Please note that during the community meeting on February 5, 2026, exhibits illustrating roadway striping and alignment were schematic and intended for conceptual discussion purposes.

The eastbound bicycle facility will transition across the Appian Way on-ramp in a manner consistent with existing conditions. As part of the design, vehicles entering from the on-ramp will be required to yield to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the ramp.

Physical separation for the bicycle and pedestrian facilities will be provided along the bridge segment itself, with transitions designed to safely accommodate the geometric constraints of the bridge and on-ramp configuration. The final design will clearly define where barriers begin and end to maintain safe and predictable movements for all users.

Westbound cyclists will transition from the protected facility on the bridge down the ramp to Appian Way. From there, cyclists may continue to the 2nd Street Service Road bicycle facility, which functions as a low-vehicular-volume Class III route, or proceed along Appian Way within the existing Class II bike lane. This configuration is intended to provide a more comfortable and predictable path for cyclists of varying skill levels and to close a gap in the local bicycle network.

Due to funding and scope limitations, the existing Class II lane within the chicane (see slide 15 in the February 5, 2026 community meeting presentation) will be removed since an alternative, safe route is provided down the westbound off-ramp to Appian Way. Other programs outside of this project are exploring enhancements to the pedestrian and bicycle network around this location.

Long Beach is a large city with many active projects. We appreciate your patience as we maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure.

The Colorado Lagoon project is planned to be completed this summer and will not overlap with this project. Updates on the Colorado Lagoon project are posted monthly at longbeach.gov/coloradolagoonproject.

The Studebaker Road Transformation Project will deliver major corridor improvements, and will be completed in a phased approach, with traffic open in both directions at all times. To learn more about the schedule and phasing for this project, visit longbeach.gov/studebakerproject.

To learn more about Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Pilot Program, including planned location on 2nd Street and citywide, please visit lbcity.info/asepilot.

Based on the community feedback, we will continue to evaluate the appropriate timing for actual construction of the project. The next step is to refine the design and incorporate as much public input as feasible within the project footprint and constraints.