The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are preparing for a 16-month closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
The disruption is expected to affect truck access, terminal appointments and cargo movements across the San Pedro Bay port complex.
Both ports and their marine terminals are expected to remain operational throughout the closure. Vessel navigation will also continue, with protective shielding and construction controls designed to allow work on the bridge without closing the harbour navigation channel.
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State Route 47 across the bridge will close in both directions from 12:01 a.m. on 7 November 2026. Caltrans is targeting early March 2028 for reopening, although the schedule remains subject to weather and operational conditions.
The loss of the direct road connection between San Pedro and Terminal Island will redirect traffic onto alternative routes, potentially increasing congestion and extending journey times for port workers, truck drivers and other road users.
Approximately 8 percent of port-complex drayage traffic currently uses the Vincent Thomas Bridge. Affected operators will need to use alternative routes through Wilmington and Long Beach, increasing journey times and creating greater uncertainty around container collection and delivery.
APM Terminals Los Angeles at Pier 400 is expected to remain open and maintain cargo operations. However, trucks and employees travelling from San Pedro will need to use designated Wilmington or Long Beach approaches.
The terminal operator is coordinating with labour partners, Caltrans, the Port of Los Angeles and other industry stakeholders to maintain operations. Maersk customers are advised to check gate hours and appointments before dispatch, allow additional travel time and monitor terminal notices.
No direct impact is anticipated on terminal capacity, cargo-handling productivity or on-dock and near-dock rail operations. However, road congestion could affect appointment punctuality and the timing of container collections and deliveries.
The closure is expected to increase traffic on I-110, I-710, SR-103, the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge and designated Wilmington corridors.
For commercial vehicles travelling between Terminal Island and Long Beach, the recommended route is via the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge and I-710. Vehicles travelling towards Wilmington and northern areas should use the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Bridge via SR-47 and SR-103, following designated truck routes.
San Pedro–Terminal Island traffic will be redirected through Front Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard, connecting with I-110 and the Wilmington corridor via Harry Bridges Boulevard and Henry Ford Avenue.
Caltrans plans to deploy traffic-control officers at key intersections, adjust traffic signals, increase commercial vehicle enforcement and use traffic cameras to monitor conditions. Improvements are also planned along designated diversion routes.