The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a critical transportation artery providing connectivity to Los Angeles and its distribution centers, will be closed for more than a year for critical deck replacement, Caltrans announced this week.
The bridge will begin a 16-month construction project in “late 2025 or early 2026” to replace the bridge’s aging and deteriorating deck.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge connects San Pedro and Long Beach as part of Highway 47 and is one of the busiest bridges in California. The bridge has been in service for 60 years, but the concrete slab is deteriorating “rapidly” due to the large number of heavy vehicles passing through it every day and the marine environment it passes through.
Caltrans said the deck replacement will ensure the City of Los Angeles’ official Welcoming Monument remains structurally sound and ready for continued use.
Once work begins, the bridge will be completely closed to allow for a one-phase construction project to replace the bridge deck and its seismic sensors.
Vincent Thomas Bridge, taken on May 9, 2023 (KTLA)
Earlier this year, Caltrans asked for public input on the best way to proceed with the closure, including whether to keep some lanes open during construction.
Ultimately, after a 90-day comment period ended, Caltrans determined the best course of action was to permanently close the bridge and allow complete and unimpeded work to begin.
Other options include partial bridge closures and overnight closures, each of which would extend the project timeline from 16 months to two to four years.
Officials said the decision to close the bridge was the preferred option after a technical and environmental review.
“The Department’s selection of the one-phase option allows for the shortest construction time, is the safest construction alternative, is the most cost-effective alternative, and provides an opportunity to improve the construction schedule.” Trans officials said Monday.
Shipping containers are seen stacked at the Port of Los Angeles’ Evergreen Terminal in San Pedro, California, on November 30, 2021, as shipping trucks cross the Vincent Thomas Bridge over the main waterway. (AP photo)
Workers will remove the existing deck slab and replace it with precast bridge deck. This is said to be a significantly faster option compared to “cast-in-place” floor slabs.
While this work is important to preserve the bridge for future generations, officials warned that prolonged closure of the bridge would impact local highways and surface roads, as well as the people who live and work nearby. are.
Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro closed due to battery fire
Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McCosker, whose 15th City Council District includes San Pedro, said the project has the potential to create a “Harborgeddon” impacting residents, workers and international supply chains.
“The scale of the Vincent Thomas Bridge deck replacement project… is certain to be a major disruption to those who live and work in the port area,” McOscar said. “We all recognize the economic importance of the Vincent Thomas Bridge and we all recognize the need for this project, but I and my community believe that this project will improve air quality, traffic flow, , we remain concerned about safety, environmental justice and how it will impact the overall infrastructure of the port area.”
McCosker said he supports a one-phase construction schedule and would like to see Caltrans “rip the bandaid off” and complete the project as soon as possible.
Caltrans said it is still developing a road closure and detour plan that will also utilize public input, but the most likely detour routes include Sepulveda Boulevard, West Harry Bridge Boulevard, Alameda Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway, Includes Henry Ford Boulevard and Terminal Island Freeway/Route 103.
The Department of Transportation’s final environmental impact report is available online.
