DETOUR: Vincent Thomas Bridge Closure Sends Shockwaves Throughout Los Angeles Drivers

The process has begun to shut down the Vincent Thomas Bridge by October 2025 to repair the deteriorated deck and bridge structure that has seen massive damage from salt water and heavy use.

On May 4th, Caltrans held a virtual meeting to go over the entire process with a deadline for a community decision on whether to shut down the Vincent Thomas Bridge entirely or partially.

“I just found out about it today,”

Valerie Rodriguez of Wilmington. Told the Daily Breeze.

However, as news hit local channels, concerns arose over the short deadline and Caltrans reciprocated with an extended deadline from May 12th, 2023 to May 26th, 2023.

Tim McOsker, Los Angeles Council Member told the Daily Breeze

“While this is disappointing we’ve started out very slowly. We do have time if the start date is 2025 and the opportunity to make sure we are considering everyone’s comments.”

Caltrans Environmental Senior Planner Jason Roach told the Daily Breeze “The bridge deck received a short-term fix in 2009 with a new polyester concrete overlay. But it’s starting to see cracks. It worked but another polyester overlay is not going to cut it.”

The current plans are underway with a certified roadway that would replace the 6.5” deteriorating road and should last 75 years. While in the process side railings will be updated to uphold current safety standards and a new median barrier will be installed while maintaining the original Emerald Green coat.

Not to forget, headaches from traffic, construction and delays surrounding the harbor communities are inevitable. In which, residents are asked to choose between 3 construction options.

• A single-stage construction project that would close the entire bride for 9–12 months.
• A two-stage process that would partially close the bridge with one lane open and three closed which would last 18–24 months.
• A three-stage process that would allow one lane open in each direction with no full closure but lasting 30–36 months.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn urged Caltrans to consider reopening the ferry service that closed in 1963 upon the bridge opening and begin directing commuters and workers to integrate the service into their daily commute.

Henry Trejo told the Daily Breeze

“This is going to be detrimental…Shift changes and lunch times make the bridge a much-needed commuter for longshore workers.”

While Louis Dominguez of San Pedro who travels the bridge to Long Beach says

“My idea is to rip the bandage off all at once, It won’t be easy but it will get it over with and (get the bridge) back open the way it should be.”

Caltrans officials say the agency wants to work closely with the community and will weigh the communities voice upon the final decision to fully or partially close down the Vincent Thomas Bridge. With this in mind, no matter the decision, detours are inevitable.

The best way to stay in the loop of the Vincent Thomas Bridge project is by heading over to virtualeventroom.com/caltrans/vtb for more information.

If you want to voice your opinion directly, you can email caltrans@virtualeventroom.net with the subject line “VTB Deck Replacement Project”

You can also reach out by mail; to Jason Roach, senior environmental planner, Division of Environmental Planning (Project EA 07–39020), California Department of Transportation, District 7, 100 South Main Street, MS 16A, Los Angeles, CA 90012.