16-Month Closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge Set for Nov. 7

Date: October 22, 2026

District: 7, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

Contact: Diana Jimenez

16-Month Closure of Vincent Thomas Bridge Set for Nov. 7

Work includes replacing aging bridge deck, increasing lifespan of the bridge

 

SAN PEDRO — A 16-month closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge (State Route 47) in San Pedro will begin in approximately two weeks, on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 12:01 a.m. for the replacement of the bridge deck.  

 

The bridge rehabilitation project has been developed over two years with intense and close coordination between cities, community leaders, ports, shipping companies, labor unions and the contractor, Skanska-CEC Joint Venture.  

 

“Caltrans has been working hand-in-hand with our partners, residential and business communities, and all stakeholders in preparation for the 16-month closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge,” said Gloria Roberts, Caltrans District 7 Director. “Our investment to replace the bridge deck will keep our communities connected and commerce moving through the San Pedro Bay Port Complex and the nation.”

 

During the closure, Caltrans will minimize local traffic impacts through a combination of infrastructure improvements, manual traffic control strategies, and enhanced communication efforts. Traffic control officers will be deployed to 18 key intersections in the area to monitor and manually facilitate traffic flow, and local police will expand commercial trucking enforcement.

 

“We've been working closely with Caltrans, our supply chain partners and local stakeholders to prepare for the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "Our focus is on keeping cargo moving throughout the Port complex while helping workers and commuters navigate the closure and minimizing impacts on surrounding communities.”

 

Motorists will be detoured primarily along Interstates 710 and 110, State Route 103, and Harry Bridges Boulevard. Caltrans conducted local road improvements on the project's detour routes, including the resurfacing and striping of roads and intersections, installation of traffic cameras, and placement of temporary traffic signals.

 

Detour route between San Pedro and Long Beach

 

“For 16 months, this closure will have a significant impact on the people who live and work in our Harbor communities,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “We’ve worked closely with Caltrans to keep detour traffic out of our residential neighborhoods and secure road repairs and traffic enforcement. We’ll stay closely involved throughout the closure to address problems as they arise. Our residents deserve safe streets and a coordinated response they can count on.”

 

The Vincent Thomas Bridge has been in service for more than 60 years and serves an average daily traffic of 53,000 vehicles per day, with nearly 9 percent of the daily traffic being heavy trucks. Although the bridge is structurally sound, the concrete bridge deck is increasingly deteriorating due to heavy traffic loading throughout its service life, as well as environmental deterioration from the surrounding marine environment.

 

The $750 million Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project will replace the entire bridge deck, modernize safety features, and upgrade seismic sensors to preserve the bridge’s functionality and ensure the safety of the travelling public. The bridge is targeted to reopen in early March 2028.

 

For more information on the project, visit the VTB project website.