𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟, 𝗕𝗔𝗕𝗬, 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟: Pier Foundations Reach 135 Feet Below Ground

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 — Deep-foundation construction reached another stage Wednesday at the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, as Malcolm Drilling crews completed concrete placement in a newly drilled foundation shaft extending approximately 135 feet below ground. The shaft was drilled Tuesday after Malcolm repositioned its large drilling equipment farther west within the construction zone. Crews spent much of Wednesday placing concrete into the completed shaft, continuing the foundation system that will ultimately support the replacement bridge. The approximately 135-foot depth marks a change from the earlier foundation work, where the first four shafts extended roughly 100 feet below ground. The new work area calls for deeper shafts as foundation construction progresses along the bridge alignment. Once Wednesday's concrete operation was completed, Malcolm crews transitioned to the next shaft location nearby and began drilling the second of the two approximately 135-foot shafts planned for this section. Drilling on that shaft is expected to continue Thursday, with concrete placement planned for Friday. The sequence illustrates the methodical pace of the deep-foundation operation: crews drill an individual shaft to its required depth, complete the reinforcing and concrete work, then advance to the adjacent foundation location. Heavy equipment remained active throughout the construction zone Wednesday, including Malcolm's large tracked drilling rig and a crawler crane supporting the foundation operation. The work is part of a broader construction sequence that has included excavation, shoring, reinforcing-steel fabrication and concrete placement as crews move progressively through the new bridge foundations. The Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project is replacing the aging entrance bridge originally constructed in 1939 with a modern, seismically upgraded structure. The approximately $35 million project will include a 15-foot-wide sidewalk, accessibility improvements and upgraded pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle access between the Pier and the surrounding area. Construction has advanced from demolition of portions of the original bridge and removal of old foundations into the extensive deep-foundation phase now underway. Temporary pedestrian and vehicle routes continue to maintain access to the Santa Monica Pier during construction. The multiyear project is expected to continue through 2027, with completion planned ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document the Pier Bridge Replacement Project as crews work progressively deeper beneath the entrance to build the foundations for the new bridge. #SantaMonicaPier #BridgeConstruction #DeepFoundations #MalcolmDrilling #HeavyEquipment #civilengineering — ⚠️ 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗬𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 This video is protected by copyright and provided for personal viewing only. Any copying, downloading, re-uploading, reproduction, distribution, sampling, or other use, including commercial or editorial use, without prior written authorization from Santa Monica Closeup is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. © 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘄𝗸𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗰𝘇 / 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱. — 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 Fabian Lewkowicz is an award-winning photojournalist based in Santa Monica and the creator of 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗽. Known for his compelling imagery and neutral reporting, his work captures the pulse of the city—from civic affairs and emergency response to cultural moments and beach life. His photography has been showcased in galleries, museums, and public installations. — 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗣 PayPal/Venmo/Credit Card 👉 https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/M6... 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗨𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 Instagram 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Facebook 👉   / santamonicacloseup   Twitter 👉   / smcloseup   — 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗞𝗦    / @santamonicacloseup   — 𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 Email 👉 press@santamonicacloseup.com — 𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗦: Photojournalism, Visual Journalism, Street Reporting, Documentary, Observational Photography, Press Photography, Independent Media, Southern California News, SMCU, SM©U