Vincent Thomas Bridge Detolled

The Caltrans Vincent Thomas Bridge on CA-47 over the main channel of the port of Los Angeles is to be de-tolled. Two Long Beach state congressmen lobbied successfully for the removal of tolls which currently generate $2.6m/yr. A powerful argument in favor of getting rid of the tolls was that toll collection costs consumed most of the toll revenues. There are 24 collectors who earn $28k/yr each.

Tolls began Nov 15 1963 when the bridge was opened, having been financed with $26m of bonds. $6m of the bonds remain to be retired. The bridge is also due for seismic improvements but these costs will be borne by Caltrans budget.

The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a suspension span, links the end of I-110, the Harbor Freeway with Terminal Island which contains the President Lines container terminal and the old Long Beach Naval dockyards Terminal Island also provides access to extensive new docks being built further out in San Pedro Bay. The port of Los Angeles/Long Beach is one of the US largest ports. Like other west coast ports it has boomed with the growth of trade with Asia and the substitution of surface transcontinental freight movements for Panama Canal trips to the east coast.

The bridge has a 50c toll for cars and $2.00 for trucks levied westbound only. Tolls cease Jan 1.

Two other bridges, without tolls, provide access to Terminal Island: at the east end one connects to I-710 the Long Beach Fwy and in the center of the island is a bridge to CA-103, the short Terminal Island Fwy.

The Vincent Thomas was the only toll facility in the Los Angeles metro area until construction of the Orange Co Foothill, San Joaquin and Eastern toll roads and the 91 Express in the 1990s.