𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣: Massive Drilling Rig Prepares Shoring for Santa Monica Pier Bridge Demolition

SANTA MONICA PIER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ADVANCES WITH CONCRETE POURS, FOUNDATION CHIPPING AND SHORING PREPARATIONS SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, October 29, 2026 — Construction continued on three fronts Thursday at the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, as Shimmick Construction, Malcolm Drilling, and Barney's Hole Digging Services, Inc. carried out concrete placement, foundation preparation, and drilling for temporary shoring supports. Shimmick Construction crews poured concrete into two column forms and four additional foundation as work progressed on the replacement bridge's structural supports. A concrete mixer truck supplied material to a truck-mounted concrete pump equipped with a long articulated boom. The equipment delivered concrete to designated locations throughout the construction site, including areas beneath and alongside the temporary pedestrian bridge. Large yellow cylindrical forms surrounded several new structural supports, containing and shaping the concrete during placement and curing. The operation followed weeks of excavation, drilled-shaft construction, and reinforcing-steel installation. Meanwhile, Malcolm Drilling crews continued chipping excess concrete from previously poured drilled-shaft foundations. During construction, concrete is commonly placed above the intended final elevation so that potentially weaker or contaminated material near the top can be removed after hardening. Chipping exposes sound concrete and brings the foundation heads to their specified elevations. Workers operated around cylindrical excavations lined with corrugated steel casing, breaking apart excess concrete and collecting the resulting debris. At one foundation opening, a worker was observed handling a bucket used to collect broken concrete fragments. The material was lifted from the excavation for removal as crews continued preparing the foundation for subsequent structural connections. Similar chipping operations were documented earlier in the week. Elsewhere near the existing Pier bridge approach, Barney's Hole Digging Services, Inc. conducted specialized drilling operations in preparation for installing temporary steel shoring supports. Working with Shimmick Construction, the contractor operated a large tracked excavator fitted with a hydraulic drilling attachment and heavy-duty auger. The equipment drilled several holes intended to accommodate long vertical steel beams, commonly called soldier piles. These beams will form part of a temporary shoring system designed to support surrounding soil during excavation and demolition. Additional retaining elements may be installed between the piles as construction progresses. The drilling follows earlier preparations involving steel shoring beams near the bridge approach. Creating the holes in advance allows crews to prepare designated locations for installing the supports. Thursday's activities demonstrated three stages of construction occurring simultaneously: placing fresh concrete for new bridge supports, finishing previously poured foundations, and preparing temporary shoring ahead of demolition. The approximately $35 million federally funded Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project will replace the existing entrance bridge, originally constructed in 1939, with a modern structure meeting current seismic and safety standards. Shimmick Construction is the project's primary contractor, supported by specialized drilling and foundation subcontractors. The replacement bridge will feature improved accessibility, including a 15-foot-wide sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists. Completion is targeted for 2027, ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The historic 1941 Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign has been temporarily removed for restoration in Las Vegas and is expected to return following reconstruction. The Santa Monica Pier remains open throughout construction. Pedestrians can use the temporary pedestrian bridge, while vehicle access is maintained from Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Monica Closeup documented Thursday's construction operations, including Shimmick's concrete pours, Malcolm Drilling's foundation chipping, and Barney's Hole Digging Services' drilling preparations for temporary steel shoring near the Pier entrance. #SantaMonicaPier #PierBridgeReplacement #SantaMonica #ConstructionUpdate #heavyequipmentmachinery