Caltrans will close the Vincent Thomas Bridge on Nov. 1 for about 16 months. The $753 million project replaces the bridge deck. The Vincent Thomas Bridge connects San Pedro and Terminal Island at the Port of Los Angeles via State Route 47. It is expected to reopen in March 2028.
Only 8% of the port complex’s drayage truck traffic travels on the bridge, according to the port. All Port of LA terminals will stay open. The port expects no impact on terminal productivity, flow or capacity, and none on rail cargo. Local detours will add traffic control, enforcement officers and adjusted signal timing.
Caltrans District 7 runs the project, with a Skanska-CEC joint venture as general contractor. Crews began in March installing a shield and working platform under the deck, with overnight closures in one direction at a time. The bridge opened in 1963.
Truckers are concerned the closure will push container dwell times higher, JOC reports, with dwell already at 18-month highs. Rail-bound containers averaged 6.75 days at the LA and Long Beach terminals in August, up from 6.34 days in July, according to Pacific Merchant Shipping Association data. Truck-bound containers averaged 2.95 days.
Caltrans will present its detour route and traffic management plan at community open houses on Oct. 1 in Wilmington, Oct. 8 in San Pedro and Oct. 14 online.
