Tag Archives: Long Beach

Ironworkers progress re new Gerald Desmond Bridge 2018

Night view from back channel west shore looking south
Daytime view from the back channel west shore, looking south
Aerial view of south elevation
Driver’s Perspective at Night

Update on bridgework in Long Beach California

Ironworker’s progress re new Gerald Desmond Bridge 2018, have towers on both sides erected with  first segments of road deck.
As photographed here, early Friday morning September 19th, 2018.
Notice the East Tower has both stiff leg derricks in place, ready to continue iron erection to both the main span and back span.

The long field beams , from  fabricators located in Arizona, using big rig trucks attached with modified trailers. Hauled via caravans of three to four trucks at a time.

The caravan travel’s thru the Cajon Pass on the 15 fwy, then west on the 210 fwy and  maneuver the South 605 fwy interchange, after which they all park in a line on the shoulder of the 605 freeway. This is a safe pull out  just before the Irwindale Drag Strip exit, which  has an unusually large shoulder off the side of the freeway.
That allows the California Highway Patrol to execute their escort  plan for the rest of the journey to the Harbor Area job site. Makes for a sight, as this caravan continues on, surrounded by police stationed on both the sides, the front and rear of each load, leaving only one lane open for regular traffic to pass on by. This journey begins about 10 PM and ends with these trucks in positions at the bridge about 3 AM.


The West Tower on the Terminal Island side of the Gerald Desmond Bridge is in the process of erecting both of their stiff leg derricks as well.

Notice that there are some pipe column segments that have their removal work ongoing as well. That doesn’t take too long.

Also noteworthy  is the progress of the work finalizing construction to the approaches on both sides of this bridge project. The east side crew is on their last pier to pier construction work and the west side is not far behind on their pier to pier construction. Here’s a shot taken on the west side’s work progress.
All in all, the work constructing this complicated task is nothing short of remarkable to witness and be a part of too. A true landmark in the making, generating great pride for all the participating trades. Surely generating legacies to come from a job like this. Safety is key, like regular, and as always, let’s successfully push forward with continued care for one another and build our West Coast landmark job. Very Cool indeed!

And now, let’s have a little music, shall we?
https://soundcloud.com/shanescloud/come-to-terms-2

And then there is music like no other:

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Thanks for stopping by and checking things out, see you again soon with some more neat stuff
Best Regards
Shane
JIW Local 433

Alrighty Then, let’s do one more from Shane

Merry Christmas From Our Household To Yours 2017

Giving the gift of a Christmas smile

Happy Holidays All
Merry Christmas From Our Household To Yours 2017

                                             Shane O’Brien
Here are a couple photos I took from my day time world as an Ironworker, working with the talented Men and Women of Local 433, Los Angeles, CA

The following photos are views taken from the job I am currently participating into as the IW Foreman at the:
Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project

Photo taken from the top of Pier 16 on the west side of the GDB

From Local 12 is Reliable Crane Operator Dave manning the controls of our West Side Tower Crane

After 2 years of everyday work, both Towers are completed

We are up next. The Ironworkers will begin hanging Iron during the 2nd week of January 2018, starting with the Heavy Lift Table which will support the first Bridge Iron and Access Platforms with Traveler Platforms as well. Our Dance floor

Erecting the Heavy Lift Table parts, Main Beams and Cad Beams

And lastly for todays views of the work going on at the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project, here are some of the talent hard at work

Erecting Heavy Lift Table Sections, Juan Toriche and Todd Eisenhauer

Getting ready to load the Dampner System atop of Tower 16

Here are Jonathan Casas and Baron Covarrubias, both quality apprentices, working with Shane O’Brien, getting set to land the Dampner System atop of Tower 16 on the west side

Bridge Gang @ Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project

In The Photo above are from left to right:
Back Row: Orlando Espinoza III, Michael Cochrum, Juan Toriche, Victor Romero, Shamari Glasco, Todd Eisenhauer, Baron Covarrubias, Rick McCreight
Front Row: Tony Palumbo, Jonathan Casas, Shane O’Brien, Derek Jimenez, Matt Semenza, Chris Chapon,
Not in the Photo are: James Hunter, Shane Trujillo, Evan Heryet and Antonio Barroso
Photo taken 11/21/2017

From all of us at the GDB have a safe and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year
Best regards
Shane O’Brien

Also of great interest to most Ironworkers and their Families
Go to the following link provided for a inspirational final product view
of the Structure erected by all Union Labor at “Ground Zero”.
Local 40 along with many other Skilled Trade Locals represented our Craft very well.
Just as all the hands dispatched through Local 40 and surroundings Locals, have done all union Ironworker very Proud. For the everyday public to view our work done in a safety committed conditions daily. In the end this 360* video presentation is heartwarming to see and know I was part of the whole in that work

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