Fact Sheet - SUMMER 2025

 

OVERVIEW

Vincent Thomas Bridge has become a critical highway linkage for Harbor residents and both port complexes over its 60 years in service. It has consequently supported heavy traffic loading through challenging marine conditions during that time, leading to the severe deterioration of its concrete bridge deck.

Caltrans therefore aims to replace the bridge deck and modernize other bridge components, necessitating the 16-month closure of State Route 47 across Vincent Thomas Bridge.

 

DESIGN PHASE

The project is currently in design, during which Caltrans is finalizing all project plans and determining the project’s specifications and estimates.

Caltrans is also developing a traffic management plan during this phase.

 

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

In late 2024, Caltrans formed a task force composed public agencies, industry stakeholders, elected officials, and residents to help create a Traffic Management Plan for the project. The task force’s input led to the reconfiguration of the project detour route and new collaboration between Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles. Together, the agencies aim to streamline detour traffic by diverting commuters away from the area, implementing incident response plans, adjusting signal timing at key intersections, and deploying additional traffic control and enforcement officers.

 

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

In addition to the single-stage construction plan for the project, several preliminary construction tasks are needed prepare the bridge for the deck replacement. Set to begin in the spring of 2026, the completion of these tasks will significantly expedite the later deck replacement. This will require nightly and weekend one-directional closures of the bridge.

The deck replacement and associated full closure are scheduled to commence in late 2026.

 

PRELIMINARY DETOUR ROUTES

(Implemented during the 16-month deck replacement)

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

*PA/ED: Project Approval and Environmental Document

**Nightly one directional closures and possible weekend closures

*** Full closure (16 months)