The green suspension bridge over the main channel at the Port of Los Angeles is getting a new deck, and the job means shutting it down. Caltrans awarded a Skanska and California Engineering Contractors joint venture $534 million to replace the deck of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, the State Route 47 span linking San Pedro and Terminal Island.
Project Scope
Crews will remove the existing deck and install durable precast concrete panels, a method that trades a longer full closure for faster, more predictable installation than casting concrete in place over open water. The work adds structural-health monitoring and safety upgrades along the span. Caltrans is delivering it under a construction manager/general contractor model, so the team helped price and plan the job before the guaranteed cost locked in. The bridge closes for about 16 months, with completion set for early 2029.
Why It Matters
The Vincent Thomas opened in 1963 and carries a heavy share of drayage in and out of the nation’s busiest container complex. Its deck has been patched to the end of its life, and keeping lanes open during replacement would stretch the schedule for years. Caltrans chose a shorter full closure instead, betting that precast panels and tight sequencing make the trucking detours worth the speed. How well the freight network absorbs 16 months without the span is the question everyone at the port is watching.
Project Team & Details
| Owner / Client | California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) |
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| General Contractor | Skanska / California Engineering Contractors JV |
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| Status | Under Construction |
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| Delivery Method | CMAR |
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| Funding Source | Public (State) |
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