A joint venture led by Skanska has secured a major infrastructure contract in Los Angeles, marking another significant civil win for the global contractor in the U.S. market.
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Partnering with Pleasanton, California-based California Engineering Contractors, Skanska will replace the bridge deck of the Vincent Thomas Bridge under a contract awarded by Caltrans. The total contract is valued at $534 million, with Skanska’s share amounting to $320 million. Caltrans estimates the overall cost of the replacement project will reach approximately $706 million.
According to the release, Skanska’s responsibilities include removing and replacing the existing bridge deck, installing new expansion joints and integrating corrosion-protection systems. The modernization effort is designed to increase load capacity, enhance safety for motorists and extend the structure’s lifespan by reducing long-term maintenance requirements.
In addition to the deck replacement, the joint venture will install new bridge railings, fencing and a median barrier. While there had been discussions about raising the bridge’s height by 26 feet to allow larger ships to pass beneath it, that proposal was ultimately rejected and is not part of the final scope.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, which first opened in 1963, has served the Los Angeles harbor region for more than six decades. Although the overall structure remains sound, transportation officials have determined that the deck is deteriorating at an accelerated rate. The deterioration has been attributed to concrete fatigue from heavy traffic volumes and environmental wear caused by prolonged exposure to the marine climate.
Infrastructure development in the U.S. has become a key pillar of Skanska’s construction portfolio. During the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call on Feb. 9, CEO Anders Danielsson described the U.S. construction landscape as “fragmented,” but noted that construction continues to be Skanska’s most profitable sector — particularly within the American market.
CEO Anders Danielsson credited the firm’s performance to its disciplined approach and strength in civil construction, as well as exposure to high-growth segments such as data centers.
“I think the organization has been consistent with our strategy to be selective in the market and go for projects where we see that we have a competitive advantage, a good track record, a good relationship with the client and also the right organization in place,” Danielsson said.
The Vincent Thomas Bridge project further solidifies Skanska’s footprint in large-scale transportation rehabilitation — a sector that continues to benefit from public infrastructure funding and long-term investment commitments across the U.S.
Work on the bridge is scheduled to begin in March. According to Caltrans, the bridge will remain operational and is expected to be ready in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with full construction completion anticipated by March 2029.
As Los Angeles prepares to host a global audience for the Olympics, the rehabilitation of this critical harbor crossing will play a central role in ensuring traffic efficiency, safety and long-term structural resilience for decades to come.
Originally reported by Zachary Phillips, Editor in Construction Dive.
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