The design phase for the Vincent Thomas Bridge Deck Replacement Project — a massive project set to close the bridge to traffic for more than a year beginning in late 2026 — is 95% complete, the California Transportation Department said this week.

The agency is developing comprehensive plans — including for detour routes — along with specifications and cost estimates as the process moves forward.

In order to potentially lessen the full closure time, however, Caltrans officials are also planning to carry out “several preliminary construction tasks” needed to prepare the bridge for the work, and those are anticipated to begin in the spring.

“The completion of these tasks will significantly expedite the later deck replacement,” the update said, and will require nightly and weekend one-direc

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