Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project
Building public confidence throughout one of America's most significant infrastructure projects
The Moment
Replacing the Gerald Desmond Bridge was a transformational investment in California's transportation network and the nation's supply chain. As the centerpiece of the Port of Long Beach's $4 billion capital improvement program, the eight-year project touched nearly every audience imaginable, from international shipping companies and port tenants to commuters, neighborhoods, businesses, and government agencies. Success depended not only on engineering excellence, but on building public understanding, maintaining stakeholder confidence, and keeping the region moving throughout years of construction.
The Solution
For eight years, Westbound served as the project's communications partner, leading an integrated outreach program from groundbreaking through the grand opening of the Long Beach International Gateway. Through earned media, stakeholder engagement, community presentations, construction site tours, executive events, digital communications, and ongoing project storytelling, we translated complex construction milestones into clear, timely information for every audience.
A dedicated project website, mobile app, hundreds of construction updates, and continuous public outreach helped minimize disruption, strengthen public confidence, and reinforce the project's importance to California's economy and global goods movement.
The Results
2,000+
media placements secured
300+
construction updates published
20+
industry awards recognizing communications excellence
Plus eight years of continuous communications support from groundbreaking through grand opening, and hundreds of community presentations and construction site tours
The Impact
The Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project became a nationally recognized model for infrastructure communications, demonstrating how strategic engagement can build trust, minimize disruption, and help deliver transformational public projects.
