Vincent Thomas Bridge to Close for 16 Months
Caltrans will shut the bridge in November 2026 to replace the aging deck.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Trucks
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Caltrans will close the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles for 16 months starting in November 2026. Crews will replace the road deck, seismic sensors, railings, and median during the project.
Why it matters
The bridge deck is deteriorating due to decades of heavy cargo truck traffic. The project aims to improve safety and infrastructure longevity.
The project covers a 6,000-foot structure that features a 1,500-foot main span. On average, the bridge carries 53,000 vehicles per day, including 4,700 heavy-duty trucks.
The players
Caltrans
The California Department of Transportation is the state agency responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the state's highway and bridge systems.
Skanska
A multinational construction and development company that provides services for large-scale infrastructure and commercial building projects globally.
California Engineering Contractors
A construction firm specializing in heavy civil engineering projects across the state of California.
The details
The closure is necessary to overhaul a structure that has served the Port of Los Angeles since 1963. California Engineering Contractors and Skanska are leading the construction efforts to modernize the facility.
Timeline
The Vincent Thomas Bridge originally opened in 1963.
The bridge closure for construction begins in November 2026.
The target completion date for the project is March 2028.
The Summer Olympic Games sailing events are scheduled for July 2028.
Roadmap
This project represents a necessary evolution in regional infrastructure following the 1963 opening of the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Upgrading the deck aligns with long-term efforts to maintain major transit corridors against the wear of modern heavy-duty cargo demands.
Daily drivers and commuters should prepare for significant travel delays while the bridge is closed for 16 months. Local officials have collaborated with Caltrans to upgrade detour roads and improve signage to help mitigate traffic congestion in San Pedro and Terminal Island.
The takeaway
Drivers who rely on this route should begin planning alternative commute paths well before the November 2026 start date. Monitoring Caltrans updates will be essential for navigating traffic as the project nears its 2028 completion target.
Further reading
For more information on regional freight infrastructure, visit the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Los Angeles Business Journal.
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