Rejected plans to raise Vincent Thomas Bridge

Construction on the Vincent Thomas Bridge near the Port of Los Angeles is scheduled to start next month, but the project will proceed without the 26-foot lift initially proposed by port officials. Earlier this year, Port Executive Director Gene Seroka suggested raising the bridge to accommodate larger, more efficient cargo ships, in conjunction with the California Department of Transportations (Caltrans) plans to re-deck the bridge connecting San Pedro, Terminal Island, and Long Beach.

The proposed bridge lift would have allowed bigger vessels to pass beneath, potentially increasing the ports cargo capacity, which is limited for about 40% of shipments due to the bridges 185-foot clearance. However, the California State Transportation Agency, which supervises Caltrans, rejected the proposal last month, citing the urgency of the deck replacement project.

"The Vincent Thomas Bridge is set for a critical re-decking starting January 2026 and scheduled to finish before the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games," a spokesperson for the agency stated. They added that discussions about future modifications remain welcome as long as the bridge remains structurally sound and safe for traffic.

The renovation is expected to cost over $700 million and will require a 16-month closure. Adding the proposed lift would have increased expenses by $1.5 billion and extended the closure to more than two years. The 60-year-old bridge is a local landmark, supporting tourism and serving as a major route for cargo trucks.

During the closure, traffic would be redirected via Harry Bridges Boulevard in Wilmington and the 110 and 405 freeways. The San Pedro Chamber of Commerce had endorsed a study on the effects of raising the bridge, while Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker expressed conditional support, emphasizing safety and local considerations.

Seroka remains committed to exploring ways to accommodate larger cargo ships in the future. "All parties understand the economic benefits of increased clearance for both the Port of Los Angeles and California," he said. "Although a bridge lift could not be included in the current maintenance project, we are encouraged to pursue future options."

Potential future solutions may involve raising the bridge after the deck replacement or constructing a new bridge entirely. Seroka had initially proposed installing sleeve lifts and platforms on the bridges supports, similar to the method used to raise New Yorks Bayonne Bridge in 2019.

Author: Maya Henderson