Los Angeles is preparing for a wave of major infrastructure changes, and with them comes the prospect of significant traffic disruptions.
One of the biggest is the upcoming closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, a vital connection between San Pedro, Terminal Island, and the Port of L.A. Before the bridge shuts down entirely for more than a year, drivers will face several temporary closures as construction work moves forward.
Vincent Thomas Bridge weekend closure
According to Caltrans, the right-hand lane of southbound State Route 47 will close between Ferry Street and Harbor Boulevard on Saturday, October 10, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance work.
The disruption will continue overnight, with five closures of northbound SR-47 scheduled from Sunday night, October 11, through Friday morning, October 16. Crews will close the stretch between Harbor Boulevard and Ferry Street from 10:45 p.m. to 6:45 a.m., restricting eastbound travel across the bridge toward Long Beach.
During these overnight closures, the northbound SR-47 on-ramps at Gaffey Street and Channel Street will also shut down, along with the southbound I-110 connector to northbound SR-47. Drivers will be detoured via Pacific Coast Highway to Route 103 and then Route 47.
The work involves installing platforms and structural bracing beneath the roadway to prepare for the larger construction project. Drivers can check Caltrans QuickMap for current traffic conditions and closure updates.
Vincent Thomas Bridge upcoming 16-month shutdown
The temporary disruptions are a preview of a much bigger change. Caltrans has scheduled a full 16-month closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge beginning November 7, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., with reopening targeted for early March 2028.
The $752.8 million bridge deck replacement project will replace the deteriorating concrete roadway, railings, fences, median barrier, and seismic sensors. The bridge has been in service since 1963, and heavy traffic and the surrounding marine environment have contributed to the deck’s deterioration.
During the full closure, anticipated detours will direct traffic toward Terminal Island via the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge from the north and the Gerald Desmond Bridge on I-710 from the east. These alternate routes are expected to affect traffic across the surrounding harbor communities.
