𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗: Santa Monica Pier Bridge Construction Advances on Multiple Fronts

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, October 21, 2026 — Construction activity continued on multiple fronts Wednesday at the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, as crews worked on new bridge foundations, prepared heavy drilling equipment for removal, assembled reinforcing steel, and continued dismantling the historic Santa Monica Pier sign. Near the Ocean Avenue bridge abutment, Shimmick Construction crews operated a Komatsu excavator to grade and level the excavated ground along the approach to the Pier. The earthmoving work is part of ongoing site preparation as the project transitions through foundation construction and the next stages of bridge demolition. Meanwhile, west of Ocean Front Walk, workers erected two additional cylindrical steel reinforcement cages above completed foundation shafts. The vertical rebar assemblies will form the internal reinforcement for future concrete columns supporting the replacement bridge. Similar to a previously installed column form east of Ocean Front Walk, the newly erected cages are expected to be enclosed in cylindrical forms before concrete is placed. Malcolm Drilling, having completed the project's major drilled foundation shafts earlier in the week, began dismantling its massive Liebherr LB 44-510 rotary drilling rig. Crews worked to disassemble the specialized drilling machinery, gather hoses and supporting equipment, and prepare components for loading onto trucks and transportation away from the construction site. The operation marks the conclusion of an intensive phase of foundation drilling that included locations east and west of Ocean Front Walk, followed by the final large drilled shafts along Moomat Ahiko Way. Malcolm Drilling is expected to return in the coming months to perform additional smaller-diameter foundation drilling once further demolition provides access to the remaining work areas. Elsewhere at the construction site, Galvan Rebar crews were observed assembling smaller cylindrical reinforcing steel cages on elevated fabrication stands. Workers positioned and secured steel reinforcement around longitudinal bars, preparing the assemblies for future foundation work. The activity demonstrates how steel fabrication and site preparation continue while the project's larger drilling equipment is being removed. At the Ocean Avenue entrance, YESCO crews reached another historic milestone by removing the upper crown of the iconic Santa Monica Pier sign. Using a large crane and aerial work platforms, technicians carefully separated and lifted the crown from the main arched structure, following Tuesday's removal of its neon lighting components. First unveiled on June 17, 1941, the Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign has stood as one of the city's most recognizable landmarks for 85 years. Its temporary removal will allow additional demolition of the existing bridge approach. The remaining main arch is scheduled for removal Thursday, October 22, before the sign's components are transported to YESCO's Las Vegas facility for restoration. The historic landmark will undergo repairs to its structural steel, neon lighting, and exterior finishes before eventually returning to the entrance of the replacement bridge. A half-scale replica installed on the Pier near Pier Burger will serve as a temporary representation of the original sign during construction. Originally built in 1939, the Santa Monica Pier Bridge is being replaced because the aging structure no longer meets modern structural and seismic standards. The approximately $35 million federally funded project will provide a modern, earthquake-resistant bridge with improved accessibility and a 15-foot-wide sidewalk accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists. Shimmick Construction serves as the project's prime contractor, coordinating the specialized subcontractors responsible for foundation drilling, reinforcing steel, demolition, and other construction activities. The replacement is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Throughout construction, the Santa Monica Pier remains open to visitors. Pedestrian access is maintained through a temporary bridge, while vehicle access is available from Pacific Coast Highway. Wednesday's activity illustrated the scale and coordination of the project, with multiple crews simultaneously advancing different stages of construction, from earthmoving and reinforcing steel installation to equipment demobilization and historic preservation. Santa Monica Closeup was on-site Wednesday documenting bridge construction, foundation work, equipment dismantling, and the historic Pier sign's crown removal. Coverage will continue as the Pier Bridge Replacement Project progresses. #PierBridgeReplacement #SantaMonica #ConstructionUpdate #SantaMonicaPier