Vincent Thomas Bridge Closing Until 2028

The 16-month shutdown begins November 7 as crews prepare to replace the aging roadway in a $750 million project that could bring major traffic disruptions to San Pedro, Wilmington, and Long Beach.

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Adrian Morales

Adrian Morales covers breaking news, public safety, and community stories across Long Beach for Long Beach Classic.
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The Vincent Thomas Bridge is about to shut down for more than a year, and drivers who regularly travel between San Pedro and Long Beach will need to find another way around.

Starting Saturday, November 7, 2026, the bridge will completely close in both directions for approximately 16 months. Caltrans expects to reopen it in March 2028, just a few months before the Los Angeles Olympics.

The closure is part of a major $750 million construction project to replace the bridge’s deteriorating roadway, which has endured more than six decades of heavy traffic and exposure to ocean air.

Why Is the Vincent Thomas Bridge Closing?

The Vincent Thomas Bridge opened in 1963 and has become an important connection between San Pedro, Terminal Island, and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Although the bridge itself remains structurally sound, the concrete roadway has been deteriorating from years of heavy vehicle traffic, including commercial trucks traveling through the port complex.

According to Caltrans, the roadway has reached the end of its intended lifespan. Continuing to patch damaged sections would eventually lead to more emergency repairs and unexpected closures.

Rather than continuing with temporary fixes, crews will replace the concrete roadway, along with the center divider, railings, fencing, and other safety features.

Why Will the Bridge Be Closed for 16 Months?

Caltrans considered different construction options before deciding that a complete closure would be the most efficient approach.

Instead of keeping portions of the bridge open while construction takes place, crews will have full access to the roadway.

Construction is planned around the clock, allowing workers to complete the replacement faster than they could under a project involving repeated partial closures.

Preliminary work includes the installation of temporary platforms, staircases, and structural supports beneath the bridge.

How Will the Closure Affect Long Beach Traffic?

One of the biggest concerns is what happens when traffic that normally uses the Vincent Thomas Bridge is redirected elsewhere.

The bridge is part of State Route 47 and provides a major connection between San Pedro and Terminal Island. Once it closes, drivers will need to use alternate routes through the surrounding harbor area.

The main alternatives include the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge, and connections through Wilmington.

That means additional vehicles, including commercial trucks, could be traveling through roads and freeways that are already busy.

Caltrans has been preparing nearby streets and intersections for the additional traffic. Improvements include roadway resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades, traffic cameras, and adjustments to traffic patterns.

Traffic control officers are also expected to help manage congestion at key intersections.

Will the Bridge Reopen Before the 2028 Olympics?

That’s the plan.

Caltrans is targeting March 2028 for reopening, several months before Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics.

However, reopening the bridge doesn’t mean every part of the project will be finished.

Additional work, including removing temporary construction equipment and installing updated seismic sensors and utilities, will continue after vehicles are allowed back onto the bridge.

What Drivers Should Know Before November 7

Drivers who regularly use the Vincent Thomas Bridge should start planning alternate routes before the closure begins.

Caltrans is also conducting overnight closures ahead of the main construction project as crews prepare for the full shutdown.

Motorists can check current road conditions, closures, and traffic updates through Caltrans QuickMap at quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

With the bridge expected to remain closed for 16 months, the biggest adjustment will be for commuters, port workers, and truck drivers who depend on this route every day.

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