𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥: Major Milestone in Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement

MAJOR CONCRETE POUR MARKS NEW MILESTONE IN SANTA MONICA PIER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, October 22, 2026 — Construction of the new Santa Monica Pier Bridge reached another milestone Thursday morning as Shimmick Construction crews poured approximately 20 cubic yards of concrete into two newly formed bridge columns east of Ocean Front Walk, while other crews continued equipment removal, grading operations, and preparations to dismantle the historic Santa Monica Pier sign. The concrete placement involved two ready-mix trucks, each delivering approximately 10 cubic yards of concrete. Workers used an articulated concrete pump truck to deliver the material into the tall yellow cylindrical steel forms surrounding the columns' reinforcing steel cages. The two columns, positioned near the temporary pedestrian bridge, are part of the foundation and support system for the new Pier Bridge. Workers stationed on elevated platforms monitored the concrete placement as the forms were filled. The columns will remain supported while the concrete cures and develops sufficient strength for subsequent construction activities. Elsewhere at the construction site, Malcolm Drilling continued dismantling its massive Liebherr LB 44-510 rotary drilling rig following the completion of the project's large drilled foundation shafts earlier this week. The towering drilling machine, previously used to excavate deep foundation shafts along Moomat Ahiko Way, had been separated into major components. Its large blue drilling mast was positioned on the ground while crews organized equipment and prepared machinery for loading onto heavy transport trucks. Malcolm Drilling is preparing to demobilize from the site after completing this phase of foundation construction. The company is expected to return in the coming months to undertake additional smaller foundation drilling once further demolition opens access to the remaining work areas. Near the Ocean Avenue approach to the Pier, Shimmick crews also continued grading and leveling the excavated ground adjacent to the existing bridge abutment. A Komatsu excavator was used to redistribute soil and prepare the area for upcoming construction activities, continuing work observed Wednesday. Meanwhile, YESCO crews continued preparations to dismantle the historic Santa Monica Pier sign, which has stood at the entrance to the Pier since 1941. Following Wednesday's removal of the sign's upper crown, workers had been scheduled to remove the main arched structure Thursday. However, the operation was delayed because additional pre-removal and rigging preparations required more time than anticipated. According to an update issued by the City of Santa Monica, removal of the main portion of the historic sign has been rescheduled for Friday, October 23, at approximately 7 a.m., although the city cautioned that the timing remains subject to change. The sign is being temporarily removed as part of the bridge replacement project and will undergo restoration at YESCO's Las Vegas facility before eventually returning to its historic location at the entrance to the new bridge. The approximately $35 million federally funded Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project will replace the original bridge, constructed in 1939, with a modern structure designed to meet current seismic and safety standards. Improvements include enhanced accessibility and a 15-foot-wide sidewalk accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists. The Santa Monica Pier remains open during construction, with pedestrian access maintained through the temporary pedestrian bridge and vehicle access available from Pacific Coast Highway. The project is expected to be completed before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Santa Monica Closeup documented Thursday's construction activities, including the concrete pours, dismantling of Malcolm Drilling's equipment, continued grading near the bridge abutment, and preparations for the historic sign's removal. Santa Monica Closeup will continue providing on-the-ground coverage as the landmark bridge replacement project advances. #SantaMonicaPier #PierBridgeReplacement #SantaMonica #bridgeconstruction — ⚠️ 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.