In preparation for the closure of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in California, the Port of Los Angeles said it was taking measures to limit disruption during the two‑year redecking of the bridge.

According to The Journal of Commerce (JOC), their plan centres on extending truck gate hours, including weekend access, as work begins on the 63‑year‑old structure.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will restrict traffic in one direction from 23 March to 1 November, followed by a complete closure that will run through November 2028.

Executives said the preparations reflect the bridge’s daily use by about 53,000 vehicles, including 3,400 heavy‑duty trucks.

Alongside additional gate capacity, port stakeholders have collaborated with Caltrans for two years to refine a surface‑street detour linking to major Southern California freeways. Local police agencies will maintain ongoing traffic control to handle incidents that could impede flow.

Monitoring systems will play a central role. Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said that more than 40 Caltrans cameras and over 700 cameras across the six container terminals will provide real‑time visibility, enabling rapid responses to delays.

According to Matt Schrap, chief commercial officer of Forum Mobility and former CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association (HTA), between 6,000 and 8,000 trucks move through the harbour daily, making communication among Caltrans, terminals and drivers essential.

Schrap noted that the HTA must now emphasise to ocean carriers the need for additional free time for container storage if traffic issues from the USD 1.5 billion project slow collections.

Both the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles rely on this bridge, which serves as a key route for heavy trucks and workers to travel to and from the busy twin ports.