The Daily Dig:
Skanska, in a joint venture with California Engineering Contractors, has been awarded a $534 million contract from Caltrans to replace the deck on the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Los Angeles. Skanska's share comes to $320 million, with total project cost estimated at roughly $706 million.
The bridge has been in service since 1963, and while the structure itself is still sound, the deck is deteriorating fast. Caltrans attributes the damage to concrete fatigue from heavy traffic and decades of marine exposure. The scope covers full deck removal and replacement, new expansion joints, corrosion protection systems, and replacement of the railings, fencing, and median barrier. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026, with the bridge planned to reopen ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics and full completion targeted for March 2029.
Project Snapshot:
Client / Agency: Caltrans
Contractor Team: Skanska JV with California Engineering Contractors (Pleasanton, CA)
Contract Value: $534M (Skanska share: $320M)
Total Project Cost (Est.): $706M per Caltrans
Location: Vincent Thomas Bridge, Los Angeles, California
Bridge Background: Built 1963; deck deterioration from traffic fatigue and marine exposure
Scope: Full deck replacement; new expansion joints; corrosion-protection systems; railings, fencing, and median barrier replacement
Timeline / Status: Construction begins spring 2026; bridge reopens ahead of 2028 Summer Olympics; full completion March 2029
TheJobWalk Thoughts:
A 60 year old deck on an active marine crossing, a hard Olympic deadline, and $706 million on the table, the buying signals here aren't subtle. Deck demo and placement, expansion joint systems, corrosion mitigation, and barrier work will drive procurement well into 2029. The Olympic reopening target adds real schedule pressure, and anyone who's worked a DOT bridge job knows that kind of milestone has a way of making phasing conversations very interesting, very fast. For contractors and suppliers selling into public infrastructure, this one generates sustained opportunity across multiple bid packages. Worth tracking as work develops.
Courtesy of HDR
