Public To Get Say In Overhaul Of Famed Vincent Thomas Bridge

LONG BEACH, CA — Community members have the chance to add their voices to the discussion surrounding the deck replacement for the famed Vincent Thomas Bridge as the California Department of Transportation extended the public comment deadline.

The bridge connects Terminal Island on State Route 47 to the San Pedro neighborhood near the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Community members now have until May 26 to share any questions, comments or concerns about construction with Caltrans officials. Initially, the comment period was set to be cut off this week.

"This public feedback opportunity is part of the project’s environmental scoping process, which is an early and critical step in the project planning phase that determines a project’s potential environmental and community impacts," officials said.

Construction on the bridge is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025 and will impact traffic and travel along the roadway. the deck replacement aims to preserve the bridge's structural integrity and enhance overall safety.

There are multiple ways to submit feedback including:

• submitting written comments via email to caltransvtb@virtualeventroom.net;
• submitting comments on the project's website through May 26 at virtualeventroom.com/caltrans/vtb/;
• sending comments through physical mail to the following address
  • Jason Roach, Senior Environmental Planner
    Division of Environmental Planning (Project EA 07-39020) California Department of Transportation, District 7 100 S. Main Street, MS 16A Los Angeles, CA 90012

All previous meeting materials and recordings are available on the project website and include information about proposed staging alternatives and potential detour routes.