16-Month Bridge Closure Set to Double Commutes in South LA

The Vincent Thomas Bridge will close to all traffic on Saturday, Nov. 7, for 16 months. The shutdown lasts until at least March 2028 as crews replace the 63-year-old structure's deck.

Caltrans officials chose a full closure over phased repairs because partial closures would have stretched the timeline to 25 or 48 months. The project costs $750 million and includes replacing the center median, railings, and fencing. New seismic sensors and utilities will also be installed. A 2021 inspection rated the deck condition as 'poor' rather than 'fair,' a drop attributed to heavy truck traffic from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The bridge connects San Pedro to Terminal Island and serves as the state's fourth-longest suspension bridge. It carries an estimated 53,000 vehicles daily, including 4,600 heavy trucks. For many drivers, it is the fastest route between San Pedro and Long Beach. Detours via Anaheim Street or Pacific Coast Highway may double commute times. Tate Allen, a San Pedro resident, estimates his 15-minute drive to his downtown Long Beach office will become a 30 to 45-minute trip.

Allen and neighbors have dubbed the closure 'Harborgeddon.' He built a website with a countdown clock and detour map with the help of Claude AI. Caltrans recommends drivers use the 110 Freeway to reach Harry Bridges Boulevard, then take the 47 Freeway at Henry Ford Boulevard or the 710 Freeway. This route is expected to handle most truck traffic entering and exiting the Port of Long Beach. Traffic patterns may shift significantly depending on the time of day.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, who represents District 15, pushed for road improvements before the closure. His team completed slurry sealing on Alameda Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington, along with concrete repairs in specific spots. McOsker asked the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to monitor traffic on Anaheim Street post-closure. He wants the agency to identify short and long term fixes if problems emerge.

Local businesses braced for the impact. Stephanie Crawford, who owns Creative Pet Supply in San Pedro, said construction on the nearby 47 Freeway off-ramp already hurt her sales. Customers from Long Beach have asked how they will reach her store. Crawford told them: 'We'll still be open, if you can get to us.'

The Warner Grand Theatre in downtown San Pedro faces similar challenges. Liz Schindler Johnson, executive director of the Grand Vision Foundation, noted that 10% to 15% of their audience comes from Long Beach. She hopes weekend show times will mitigate the longer drive. Two of her eight employees commute over the bridge and expect added travel time. Schindler Johnson said: 'We don't want to go back to remote work if we can help it.'

Allen plans to use the extra drive time to listen to audiobooks. He also intends to visit Northgate Market, a new grocery store on Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington, during his commute.