Vincent Thomas Bridge is now closed for 16 months
The San Pedro bridge closed just after midnight on Nov. 7 for a $750 million deck replacement. Here are the detours.
By LA This Weekend Team · November 8, 20263 views
The Vincent Thomas Bridge closed to all traffic at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and will stay closed for about 16 months while Caltrans replaces the deck, ABC7 and NBC4 report. Caltrans is targeting a reopening in early March 2028, about four months before the 2028 Olympics.
Why it's closing
The green suspension bridge links San Pedro with Terminal Island and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. It carries about 53,000 vehicles a day, and nearly 9% of that is heavy trucks, according to Caltrans. Caltrans says the structure is sound, but more than 60 years of heavy traffic and salt air have worn out the concrete deck. Crews will replace the deck, median, railings, fencing and signs, and upgrade the seismic sensors. CBS LA reports crews will work around the clock.
Getting around
- Main detours: the 110 and 710 freeways, State Route 103 and Harry Bridges Boulevard. CBS LA also lists Henry Ford Avenue and the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge.
- Traffic control officers will be posted at 18 key intersections as needed.
- Police will step up enforcement of truck restrictions on local streets.
"For 16 months, this closure will have a significant impact on the people who live and work in our Harbor communities," Councilmember Tim McOsker said in a statement. He said his office worked with Caltrans to keep detour traffic out of residential neighborhoods.
Our take
San Pedro and Wilmington will carry most of this. If trucks start cutting through your residential street, or a detour intersection gets dangerous, report it to Councilmember McOsker's office and let us know on the community board so neighbors can compare notes.
Sources
- ABC7: Vincent Thomas Bridge closes for 16 months as $750 million renovation begins
- NBC4: Vincent Thomas Bridge closes for 16 months. What drivers should know
- CBS LA: Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro closes for 16 months
- Caltrans: Vincent Thomas Bridge news
Photo: the Vincent Thomas Bridge by DanielMichaelPerry, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
What do you think? Tell us in the comments below, or post about it on the community board.
LA This Weekend Team