Caltrans has completed the Record of Decision (ROD) pursuant to NEPA, and is filing the Notice of Determination (NOD) with the State Clearinghouse pursuant to CEQA for the Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement and SR-47 Expressway Project. The selected alternative is Alternative 1 “Bridge Replacement and SR-47 Expressway”.

Record of Decision (August 2009)

Notice of Determination (August 2009)

The Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) may be downloaded below. A CD may also be requested at mmelendres@acta.org

Notice of Availability

Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement and
SR-47 Expressway Project
EIS/EIR (286MB)
(right-click and save to your desktop)

EIS/EIR Summary (357K)

Technical Studies

To view the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (SDEIS/RDEIR) and Appendices, click here.

Project Description/Overview (SR-47 Expressway Video)

The Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement and SR-47 Expressway Project is being advanced through a joint partnership between Caltrans and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA)  The project proposes to replace the seismically deficient Schuyler Heim Bridge over Cerritos Channel and add a four-lane elevated roadway connection to Alameda Street that will bypass three signalized intersections and five at-grade railroad crossings.  The Heim Bridge is an essential service link between Terminal Island and the mainland in Wilmington.

This project will provide an alternative route from Terminal Island, a major generator of port-related truck traffic, and provide direct access to local distribution centers and warehousing facilities in the South Bay area, as well as I-405 and SR-91, thereby relieving congestion on the Harbor and Long Beach freeways.

The Schuyler Heim Bridge Replacement and SR-47 project will enhance the efficient, secure movement of goods at the nation’s largest port complex, as well as reduce congestion and improve mobility.

Project Benefits

• Replaces the seismically-deficient Schuyler Heim moveable bridge with a new safer fixed bridge
• Creates an expressway between Ocean Blvd. on Terminal Island and Alameda St. at Pacific Coast Highway
• Enhances mobility on local freeways by diverting 5-8% of the port-related trucks
• Diverts trucks from certain local arterials and commercial and residential areas
• Facilitates future improvements to the Long Beach I-710 Freeway
• Provides alternative route to the existing near-dock rail yard
• Eliminates traffic conflicts at 5 at-grade rail crossings and 3 traffic signals

Alternative 1: Bridge Replacement and SR-47 Expressway
This alternative involves replacing the existing Schuyler Heim Bridge and constructing the new SR-47 Expressway.  It will provide an alternative route along Alameda Street for traffic to and from Terminal Island including a flyover that would divert eastbound Ocean Boulevard traffic directly onto northbound SR-47 and across the new bridge. 

The new SR-47 Expressway would begin on Terminal Island, extending north onto the new fixed-span bridge.  It would continue north and join Alameda Street just south of Pacific Coast Hwy.  The expressway would eliminate traffic conflicts at five at-grade railroad crossings and three signalized intersections.  Under this alternative, the existing connectivity to SR-103 would be maintained.