04 Nov 2026

Closure period: State Route 47 across the Vincent Thomas Bridge will close in both directions beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The full closure is planned for approximately 16 months, with reopening targeted for early March 2028. Dates remain subject to weather and operational conditions.

Customer takeaway: Both ports and their cargo facilities are expected to remain open and operational. The principal impact will be road congestion and longer, less predictable truck and commuter travel times around San Pedro, Wilmington, Terminal Island and Long Beach.

Operational Impact

Vessel Operations

No interruption to vessel navigation is expected. Protective shielding and construction controls are intended to allow deck work to proceed without closing the harbor navigation channel. Vessel schedules remain subject to normal terminal and marine conditions.

Marine Terminals

All Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach facilities are expected to remain open. No direct reduction in terminal capacity, productivity or cargo flow is anticipated from the bridge project; however, landside congestion may affect appointment punctuality and the timing of container pickup and delivery.

APM Terminals Pier 400

APM Terminals Los Angeles at Pier 400 is expected to remain open and continue cargo operations during the bridge closure. The principal exposure is landside access: trucks and employees that normally approach Terminal Island via the Vincent Thomas Bridge from San Pedro will need to use the designated Wilmington or Long Beach approaches, which may create longer and less predictable arrival times.

APM Terminals is coordinating with labor partners, Caltrans, the Port of Los Angeles and industry stakeholders to support operational continuity. Customers using Pier 400 should confirm gate hours and appointments before dispatch, allow additional travel time, monitor terminal notices, and communicate delayed arrivals early. Previous related work in 2025 that required gate closures were managed without disruption to cargo flow, but conditions during the full closure should be monitored closely.

Rail Operations

No impact is expected to on-dock rail, near-dock rail or broader rail connectivity serving the port complex. Customers should continue to monitor normal rail service and dwell conditions separately.

Truck and Drayage Operations

Approximately 8% of port-complex drayage traffic uses the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Affected trips will be rerouted, adding travel time and increasing variability, particularly during peak gate, commute and shift-change periods. Congestion may reduce driver productivity and increase the risk of missed appointments or additional accessorial costs.

San Pedro Bay Traffic Implications

Closure of this direct San Pedro–Terminal Island connection will shift vehicles onto the remaining harbor crossings and surrounding streets. Drivers should expect heavier demand on I-110, I-710, SR-103, the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge and designated Wilmington corridors. The greatest variability is likely during weekday commute periods, terminal peaks, incidents and the first weeks of the closure.

Caltrans plans traffic-control officers at key intersections, enhanced commercial-vehicle enforcement, adjusted signal timing, traffic cameras and improvements along designated detour roads. Conditions may change quickly; route selection should follow posted signs and live traffic information.

Alternative Routes and Detours

Commercial Vehicles

  • Terminal Island to/from I-710 and Long Beach: Use the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge and I-710, subject to terminal-specific access instructions.
  • Terminal Island to/from Wilmington and the north: Use the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge via SR-47/SR-103 and designated truck routes.
  • San Pedro to/from Terminal Island: Follow the signed detour using Front Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard, connecting through I-110 and the Wilmington corridor via Harry Bridges Boulevard and Henry Ford Avenue to SR-47/SR-103.
  • Use only approved truck routes and observe height, weight, hazardous-material and local street restrictions. Confirm terminal appointments and allow additional buffer time.

Personal and Commuter Vehicles

  • Between San Pedro and Terminal Island/Long Beach: Use I-110 north to the Wilmington detour corridor, then SR-103/SR-47 via the Heim Bridge, or continue to connections serving I-710 and the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge.
  • From the east: Use I-710 and the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge for Terminal Island access.
  • From the north: Use SR-103 and the Heim Bridge, following posted local detours.
  • Avoid residential cut-throughs, travel outside peak periods where possible and allow extra time.

Recommended Customer Actions

  • Build contingency time into import pickup, export delivery, empty return and transload plans.
  • Confirm terminal appointment availability, cutoff times and gate schedules before dispatch.
  • Coordinate dispatch and driver shift plans around anticipated congestion and communicate revised ETAs early.
  • Monitor chassis availability, free-time exposure and potential detention or demurrage risk.
  • Check live conditions immediately before travel; do not rely solely on a habitual route.

Official Updates

For current closure information, project notices and traffic conditions, consult the Caltrans Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project, Port of Los Angeles project updates, APM Terminals Pier 400 project information and Caltrans QuickMap. Posted signs and directions from authorities supersede this advisory.

This advisory is provided for planning purposes. Routes, schedules and operating conditions may change. Customers should verify requirements with the applicable terminal, carrier and public agency before dispatch.