The state of California has announced that the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach will undergo a major renovation. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is planning to replace the road decks on the bridge which is now 60 years old. The project is expected to cost $706 million, which includes $629 million for construction. The construction work is scheduled to start in 2025 and end in 2027. Currently, the matter is undergoing initial public comment sessions.
A Brief History of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in California
The Vincent Thomas Bridge was named after the state Assemblyman who championed its construction. It was the first suspension bridge in the United States built using welding techniques when it opened its doors in 1963 after almost two decades of planning and experimentation. Before the bridge’s construction, the sole mode of transportation between the cargo docks on Terminal Island and the residences and offices of dockworkers in San Pedro was by boat.
The bridge is now composed of a 1,500-foot main span, making it California’s fourth-longest suspension bridge. According to Caltrans, the bridge’s deck comprises two lanes in each direction, which accommodate around 53,000 vehicles daily, including approximately 4,700 heavy-duty trucks.
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Despite regular maintenance, the bridge’s concrete decks have developed fissures and broken apart, most likely due to the heavy flow of vehicles on it, as evidenced by images released by Caltrans. However, replacing the decking for such a critical transportation artery’s commuters, dockworkers, and other port personnel will be a daunting task. To that end, Caltrans has recommended three alternatives for construction, which are a full closure of the bridge for up to a year, with round-the-clock construction; a partial closure of the bridge’s three out of four lanes for up to 30 months during the nighttime and extended weekend periods; and a partial closure of one lane in each direction, occurring during the nighttime hours and extended weekends for up to three years.
FAQs
- What is the Vincent Thomas Bridge?
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Closing Statements
The renovation project for the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach is a necessary undertaking to maintain the structural integrity of the bridge. The project, scheduled for construction between 2025 and 2027, is expected to cost roughly $706 million, which includes a construction cost of approximately $629 million. Although commuters, port workers, and transport companies may experience some inconveniences, Caltrans has proposed several alternatives to minimize disruptions during the reconstruction process.
