Port of Los Angeles, State Agencies Study Vincent Thomas Bridge for Megaship Access

The Port of Los Angeles, the California State Transportation Agency and the California Department of Transportation signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate long‑term options for replacing or modifying the 1963 Vincent Thomas Bridge. The port will contribute $5 million toward planning, technical evaluation and environmental review, with the goal of improving safety, sustainability and freight mobility while keeping the port competitive as global trade evolves.

The bridge’s 185‑foot vertical clearance currently prevents the largest container vessels—capable of carrying 22,000 to 24,000 TEU—from passing under it, restricting roughly 40 % of the port’s container terminal capacity north of the bridge. Addressing the clearance limit could allow larger, more fuel‑efficient ships, including those using alternative fuels, to access the terminals and reduce emissions per container.