Plans to raise Vincent Thomas Bridge rejected by state
Construction of the Vincent Thomas Bridge near the Port of Los Angeles is scheduled to begin next month, but the project will not include the 26-foot bridge crane that port officials had hoped for.
Port Executive Director Gene Seroka proposed raising the bridge earlier this year under existing California Department of Transportation plans. reupholster The emerald green overpass connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island and Long Beach.
Raising the bridge will allow larger, more efficient ships to pass under cargo-carrying ships. Approximately 40% of the port’s cargo capacity is beyond the bridge, which is located at an elevation of 185 feet.
The California State Transportation Agency, the cabinet-level agency that oversees Caltrans, rejected that proposal last month, saying the deck replacement should begin as soon as possible.
“The Vincent Thomas Bridge is slated for a much-needed resurfacing project…starting in January 2026 and finishing ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” an agency spokesperson said in a statement.
The agency “welcomes ongoing discussions for a path forward as we work to ensure the bridge is structurally sound and safe for motor vehicles.”
Plans to repair the bridge are estimated to cost more than $700 million and will require the bridge to be closed to the public for 16 months. The port’s proposal to remove the bridge would have added $1.5 billion to the cost and kept the bridge closed for more than two years.
The 60-year-old bridge is a local landmark for surrounding communities and supports tourism in the port area. It also serves as an important artery for cargo trucks traveling to and from the port.
Front winding roads Because the bridge’s closure will send passengers, tourists and cargo to Wilmington’s Harry Bridges Boulevard and the 110 and 405 freeways.
The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce voted over the summer to support a study on the effects of raising the bridge. Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents port-adjacent communities such as Wilmington, Harbor City and San Pedro, said he supports raising the bridge as long as it is safe and takes into account the needs of local residents.
Seroka has not given up on a solution to help accommodate the next generation of cargo ships at the Port of Los Angeles.
“All parties recognize the benefits of additional permitting for businesses and the long-term economic vitality of both the Port of Los Angeles and California,” Seroka said in a statement.
“While we remain hopeful that we can add a bridge upgrade component to Caltrans’ pending critical maintenance project, we are encouraged to quickly explore additional projects due to strong support from management,” he said.
Seroka said future projects may include removing the bridge after the deck replacement is completed or building an entirely new bridge.
The harbormaster had initially suggested elevating the bridge by placing arm lifts and platforms at the bridge’s piers. The Bayonne Bridge, which connects Staten Island, NY, and Bayonne, NJ, was similarly upgraded in 2019.
