The Santa Monica Pier is one of Southern California’s iconic landmarks. However, the bridge connecting the pier to the mainland is now 86 years old, with aging materials and out-of-date safeguards against seismic damage.
Next month, the city of Santa Monica and its construction contractor, Irvine-based Shimmick Construction Co., will begin a $35 million, two-year project to tear down the bridge and put in place a fully upgraded replacement bridge.
About $30 million in funding for the project is coming from the federal Highway Bridge Program.
The Santa Monica Pier first opened in 1909 to facilitate the movement of sewage. In 1916, an amusement park was developed on the pier, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists. The current bridge was built in 1939 to connect Ocean Avenue and the western terminus of Colorado Avenue with the pier boardwalk.
Shorter, wider new bridge
The new bridge is slated to be 447 feet long, about 50 feet shorter than the existing bridge. But it will be five feet wider at 39 feet, to better accommodate the mixture of pedestrians, bicycles and motorized vehicles. And it will have the latest in seismic safety upgrades.
Some preliminary work has already been done, including some utility relocation. Next month, construction is set to begin on a temporary bridge ramp that will provide pier access to pedestrians and vehicles during the two-year construction period.
The next phase will begin early next summer with the demolition of the current bridge. Work will begin concurrently on building the new bridge. As of now, the project is expected to wrap up by the end of 2027, seven months in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As part of the project, the historic blue pier sign will be restored. The original pier sign is scheduled to be removed at the end of the year and stored until project completion.
The refurbished sign will be reinstalled at the end of construction, elevated for improved visibility and clearance. In the meantime, a smaller-scale replica sign is being prepared for the temporary bridge ramp.
