Residents near the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro say overnight construction noise and vibrations have made it difficult to sleep, just days after the key Los Angeles County crossing closed for a 16-month, $750 million rehabilitation project.
The bridge, which carries State Route 47 between San Pedro and Terminal Island, shut shortly after midnight on Saturday, November 7. Caltrans is replacing its deteriorating concrete deck and upgrading safety features, with reopening targeted for early March 2028.
Alex Denysov, who lives close to North Harbor Boulevard, said construction activity had intensified sharply when the project began. He described the noise after midnight as overwhelming and said the vibrations could be felt inside nearby apartment buildings.
“The noise was so loud, nothing helps to stop it,” Mr Denysov said. “You even feel vibration in the apartment building, especially in the apartments that face the ramp and the bridge.”
Another resident said attempts had been made inside the flat to muffle the sound, but the vibrations could still be felt.
Residents call for changes to overnight work
Residents said they supported the rehabilitation of the Vincent Thomas Bridge but wanted the loudest construction work to be carried out during the day wherever possible.
“I understand you have to improve, you got to fix the infrastructure, I’m all for it. We’re all for it,” Mr Denysov said. “But you don’t do the loudest parts of the construction at night, when everyone is resting.”
Caltrans says the bridge is structurally sound but its deck has deteriorated after more than six decades of heavy traffic and exposure to the marine environment. The project will also replace the median, railings, fencing and signs, and upgrade seismic sensors.
The bridge normally carries about 53,000 vehicles a day, including a significant number of heavy goods vehicles, making it an important route for the Port of Los Angeles and the wider San Pedro Bay port complex.
Why the Vincent Thomas Bridge was fully closed
Nathan Bass, a public information officer for Caltrans District 7, said officials had chosen a complete closure because alternative arrangements would have required partial closures for considerably longer.
“Based on extensive engagement with the residents, our stakeholders at the port, elected officials who all agree that we can accept this disruption of 16 months because the bridge is vital for commerce and transportation in the area,” Mr Bass said. “And the other alternatives would have required partial closure of the bridge for much longer than 16 months.”
Caltrans said improvements had been made along designated diversion routes before the closure. Traffic control officers are due to be deployed at 18 key intersections to help manage congestion, while local police are expected to increase enforcement involving commercial trucks.
Los Angeles City Council member Tim McOsker’s office said it understood residents’ concerns and would raise the issue with Caltrans.
“Our office will be monitoring the site and will discuss these concerns with Caltrans to determine whether there are additional mitigation measures to reduce construction noise impacts on nearby residents,” his director of communications said.
Caltrans had been contacted for a response on the reported overnight noise and construction hours.
