Global construction and development firm Skanska announced on Feb. 11, 2026, that it secured the Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project contract for $534 million from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in Los Angeles, through a joint venture with California Engineering Contractors (CEC).
The three-year project will involve a phased deck replacement on the iconic Vincent Thomas Bridge. The bridge will be closed for 16 months along this portion of State Route 47, a vital freight and commuter corridor serving the Port of Los Angeles.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge spans the main channel of the Los Angeles Harbor, serving as a critical freight and commuter corridor for the Port of Los Angeles and the South Bay region.
The modernization effort will replace the aging bridge deck with durable precast, prestressed concrete deck panels, which are engineered for extended service life, improved load capacity and resilience against harsh marine conditions such as saltwater spray and corrosive coastal winds.
"Delivering this critical infrastructure allows us to apply advanced engineering solutions that improve safety for the traveling public, modernize essential bridge components, and help Caltrans maintain a vital economic corridor serving Terminal Island," said James Bailey, executive vice president of Skanska USA Civil's West Coast operations.
"CEC looks forward to working with our partner Skanska to successfully complete this complex project. The CMGC process allowed the Skanska-CEC Joint Venture to work closely with Caltrans during the preconstruction phase of the project to develop innovations and technical engineering solutions, which resulted in a customized project plan that best serves the community while maintaining safety, quality and schedule during every phase of the project," said Wahid Tadros, president of California Engineering Contractors.
The project scope includes:
• removal and replacement of the existing deck;
• installation of new expansion joints and corrosion-protection systems;
• integration of real-time structural health monitoring technology; and
• use of high-performance precast prestressed concrete deck panels designed for heavy freight loads and marine exposure.
Leveraging the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) delivery model, Skanska and CEC will employ precision demolition, modular deck installation, advanced scheduling and environmental controls to reduce noise and air quality impacts. These strategies ensure efficient delivery while safeguarding surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and is expected to be completed by March 2029, with the bridge reopening to traffic in the first half of 2028.
