Vincent Thomas Bridge to Close for 16 Months, Disrupting U.S. Port Traffic
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- maersk_advisoriesVincent Thomas Bridge Full Closure San Pedro Bay Port Complex — Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach
- Data PortuariaCierre total del puente Vincent Thomas en el complejo portuario de la Bahía de San Pedro: Puerto de Los Ángeles y Puerto de Long Beach
- port technologyLA ports prepare for 16-month Vincent Thomas Bridge closure
State Route 47, which crosses the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the Port Complex of San Pedro Bay, will close in both directions starting at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The full closure will last approximately 16 months, with reopening expected in early March 2028, though dates may vary due to weather or operational conditions. Both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, along with their marine terminals, are expected to remain open and operational throughout the construction work.
Terminal Operations and Vessel Traffic
No disruptions to vessel traffic are anticipated, as protective systems and construction controls will be installed to allow deck work to proceed without closing the port's navigation channel. APM Terminals Los Angeles, at Pier 400, will continue operating normally, although trucks and employees who typically access Terminal Island from San Pedro via the bridge will need to use the designated access routes through Wilmington or Long Beach, which could result in longer and less predictable arrival times.
Impact on Trucking Operations
Approximately 8% of the port complex's truck traffic currently uses the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Those trips will have to be rerouted via alternate routes, adding travel time and increasing variability, particularly during peak shift, gate, and urban traffic hours. The congestion could reduce driver productivity and increase the risk of missed appointments or additional accessorial costs at the terminals.
Alternate Routes and Caltrans Measures
The closure of the direct crossing between San Pedro and Terminal Island will divert traffic to other connections, such as the I-110, the I-710, the SR-103, the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, and the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge, as well as designated corridors in Wilmington. Caltrans plans to deploy traffic control officers at key intersections, step up enforcement on commercial vehicles, adjust traffic signal timing, and install traffic cameras, along with improvements to signed detour routes.
Recommendations for Stakeholders
Maersk's official advisory acknowledges that the closure will cause road congestion and greater unpredictability in travel times for trucks and passengers, and recommends that customers build contingency time into cargo pickup and delivery plans, confirm gate hours and appointments before dispatch, coordinate dispatch shifts based on anticipated congestion, and monitor chassis availability and detention or demurrage risks.
