One of the neat features of the future Mark Bixby Memorial Bicycle Pedestrian Path will be its three observation areas that enable visitors to enjoy the beautiful views from the new bridge. At each of the areas, there will be three 24”x18” signboards (9 total) that relate the history of the Port of Long Beach, details about the construction of the new bridge and other important facts about the economic importance of the new bridge to local and national commerce.
The center signboard at the middle observation area will feature a “What You See” panorama with callouts for all of the significant landmarks that are visible from 205 feet in the air. From Hungtington Beach up the coast to downtown Long Beach and the Queen Mary over to Catalina Island and San Pedro, the sign will provide a 180-degree point of view.
Here’s the problem with capturing that panoramic shot: the current bridge is in the way. Since the current bridge will remain for months after the new bridge is open to traffic, and the signboards need to be produced before the grand opening, a workaround was needed. The solution: use an aerial lift to elevate our photographer more than 50 feet in the air to get above the current bridge.
Local photographer Bernadette McKeever put on her safety harness and, along with the lift operator, took the skies to get the shot. While it may be a little tough to make out much detail from this version of the panorama, here’s what it will look like on the signboard:
