California transportation officials are preparing to shut down the Vincent Thomas Bridge on November 7 for a comprehensive deck replacement. The closure is expected to last 16 months, with the bridge likely reopening to traffic in early 2028, and construction work continuing until early 2029.
Opened in 1963, the Vincent Thomas Bridge spans just over one mile, connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island, home to the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. It serves as a key artery along State Route 47, linking Interstate 110 to Terminal Island, which in turn connects to Long Beach via the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge. The bridge's significance extends beyond commerce, as Elise Swanson, president of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, noted last year: "The bridge is really a connection to our communities for art, culture, dining."
Caltrans stated that the deck replacement is essential to maintain the structural integrity of the bridge and enhance safety for maintenance workers, truck drivers, and the general public. Investigations have concluded the bridge is safe for travelers, but heavy traffic loads and salt air erosion have necessitated these extensive repairs.
Community members and local officials are anticipating increased traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution in the surrounding areas, alongside potential disruptions to operations at the busy Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. The Port of Los Angeles recently announced it moved a record amount of cargo in September.
In preparation for the closure, Caltrans held over 100 public and stakeholder meetings. Road improvements have been completed along the designated detour route, and traffic control officers will be deployed at 18 key intersections during the bridge's full closure.
The official detour route will direct traffic to and from Terminal Island via Front Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard in San Pedro, and along Harry Bridges Boulevard and Henry Ford Avenue in Wilmington. This route also incorporates the state highway system, including Interstate 110 and Interstate 710.
Despite the designated route, community members voiced concerns at a recent virtual open house that traffic would flow onto unofficial neighborhood streets. While vehicles will be encouraged to use the official route, Caltrans acknowledged that drivers often take the path of least resistance to their destinations. Siew Mei Tan, chief of Caltrans’ District 7 Office of Mobility Programs, noted that Caltrans is engaging with navigation providers like Google Maps and Apple Maps to guide drivers toward the designated routes and state highways.
Further concerns were raised regarding air quality, with Nathan Bass, a Caltrans public information officer, stating at the open house that "Traffic will be idling more frequently, and there may be increased air pollution and impacts in the community because of traffic related to this project." To mitigate this, Caltrans is working with the Los Angeles Unified School District to distribute air filters to schools in the area, and qualifying residents will also receive air filters.
Separately, some residents at the open house also expressed worries about the bridge’s structural integrity, specifically regarding corrosion and rust on its hardware. Caltrans reiterated that safety investigations have been conducted.
Additionally, officials from the Port of Los Angeles had hoped to use this opportunity to increase the height of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, allowing larger, more efficient cargo ships to pass underneath and access more capacity at the port. Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, previously approached Caltrans with this request. However, Caltrans rejected the proposal last December, citing the urgent need to begin the deck replacement project and the inability to accommodate additional planning for a height increase.