Community Corner
Construction To Replace Santa Monica Pier Bridge Begins: What To Know
Businesses on the pier will remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, officials said.
SANTA MONICA, CA — Construction has begun to replace the 86-year-old Santa Monica Pier bridge to make it more structurally sound and accessible, city officials announced Tuesday.
Crews began staging equipment this week ahead of initial work planned for next week, which will “include potholing and utility work, as well as widening and strengthening portions of the Pier in advance of bridge demolition and construction,” the city said.
“Built in 1939, the Pier Bridge connects Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier, one of the region’s most iconic destinations,” officials said.
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The new bridge, expected to have a 75-year service life, will be seismically upgraded and more accessible, with expanded sidewalks for pedestrian access, according to the city.
The restaurants and shops on the pier will remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, the city said.
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About 1/3 of the parking lot area at Beach Parking Lot 1 North will be used as a construction staging area; however, 726 parking spaces will remain open, the city said.
To accommodate business and visitor access during construction, city officials said there will be temporary access improvements, including:
- A temporary pedestrian bridge, connecting visitors from Ocean Avenue to the Pier
- A temporary vehicular ramp to maintain access to the Pier from the beach parking lot for emergency vehicles, deliveries and public parking
- A comprehensive wayfinding and signage program to guide visitors during construction
City officials offered an approximate project timeline:
- January 2026: Pier sign removal for rehabilitation
- January to April 2026: Temporary vehicle and pedestrian ramp installation
- May to August 2026: Bridge demolition
- August 2026-December 2027: Bridge construction
- July 2027: Pier sign reinstallation
- July to October 2027: Remove temporary vehicle and pedestrian bridge, restore Parking Lot 1 North
- December 2027: Project completion
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