The public comment period for a massive proposed project that could close the heavily traveled Vincent Thomas Bridge for one to three years starting in 2025 has been extended to July 10
The bridge, State Route 47, which connects San Pedro to Terminal Island (and, by extension, to both the ports of LA and Long Beach, and the neighboring city of Long Beach), needs a full roadbed deck replacement.
The California Department of Transportation announced the additional 45-day comment extension this week, which will allow more community members and others to send in comments, questions and concerns.
The work is needed to preserve the bridge’s structural integrity and overall safety. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025 and will impact travel on State Route 47, as well as nearby local and state roadways, as detours are set up. The bridge is a key connector for both ports, with trucks traversing it as they haul cargo in and out of the terminals.
The bridge is also a key port connector roadway for the many longshore workers who need to travel to and from work, sometimes for more than one shift in a single day or night.
Caltrans recently embarked on what will be an extensive environmental scoping process as studies and plans for the project move forward.
Still in its early stages, the planning relies on public feedback. Comments received through July 10 will be included as part of the public record in the process.
Among the decisions that will have to be made is whether to partially close the four-lane suspension bridge, which dates back to the early 1960s, for the work, which would result in a longer timeline; or fully closing the entire bridge, which would shorten the timeline to an estimated one year but could also be more inconvenient for motorists, especially for port-related traffic.
Caltrans has held two public meetings about the project so far.
The plans call for the bridge, which is classified as a historic structure by California, to retain…
Read the full article here
