California turns towards a Texas solution for u-turn design

The first so-called Texas U-Turn in the US state of California has opened as part of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement project at Long Beach. The design enables trucks and other vehicles to make a safe and free-flowing U-turn at the west end of the project at the port access undercrossing, a second tunnel near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and State Route 47 (SR-47) on Terminal Island. The Texas U-turn - named because it is a common feature at intersections in the state of Texas - enables ve
July 24, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Texas U-Turn: better traffic flow
The first so-called Texas U-Turn in the 972 US state of California has opened as part of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement project at Long Beach.


The design enables trucks and other vehicles to make a safe and free-flowing U-turn at the west end of the project at the port access undercrossing, a second tunnel near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and State Route 47 (SR-47) on Terminal Island.

The Texas U-turn - named because it is a common feature at intersections in the state of Texas - enables vehicles traveling on one side of a one-way road to make a U-turn onto the opposite road without stopping at a traffic signal.

“This traffic feature was proposed by the contractor to reduce the expense of building and maintaining flyover ramps for vehicles entering and leaving our Pier T complex at the Port of Long Beach,” said Duane Kenagy, capital programmes executive for the Port of Long Beach. “This nonstop U-turn is among many features of the new bridge that will provide a more efficient flow of cargo traffic in and out of our port.”

The US$1.47 billion project to replace the current Gerald Desmond Bridge will provide the Port of Long Beach and greater port complex with a bridge capable of meeting the needs for international cargo movement for the next 100 years.

When fully completed, the new cable-stayed bridge will include six traffic lanes and four emergency shoulders and a higher clearance than the current bridge to accommodate larger cargo ships. There will also be a bike and pedestrian path with scenic overlooks and more efficient transition ramps and connectors to improve traffic flow.

The new bridge, to be completed in spring 2020, is a joint effort of Caltrans – the state transportation department - and the Port of Long Beach, with additional funding support from the US Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

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