Early Friday morning, rain‑soaked streets in the coastal Wilmington neighborhood left several drivers stranded when floodwater surged onto the Harry Bridges Boulevard and Alameda Street intersection. The location serves as a temporary detour while the Vincent Thomas Bridge remains closed for a 16‑month, $750 million deck‑replacement project.
Supervisor Hahn calls for an alternate detour
County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement demanding that Caltrans identify a new detour route that avoids the flooded stretch. “We have cars getting trapped in floodwater on Harry Bridges and Alameda, and this is only going to get worse with more rain expected this week,” Hahn said. “City and county crews are working to pump out the water, but we cannot keep sending commuters through a route that is flooding. I am asking Caltrans to identify an alternate detour that avoids Harry Bridges and Alameda until we can find a long‑term solution.”
Current detour and bridge project timeline
Drivers are currently being rerouted primarily along the 110 and 710 freeways, State Route 103, and Harry Bridges Boulevard. The Vincent Thomas Bridge closure is part of Caltrans’ extensive renovation, slated to reopen in March 2028—just four months before the opening of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Rainfall outlook
Friday’s rain fell at rates generally under a quarter‑inch per hour, with higher amounts in isolated pockets. Showers were expected to taper off by the afternoon, but a second wave of rain was forecast for Friday night, extending into early Saturday. The combined systems are projected to deliver less than an inch of rain across most areas. Additional rain is anticipated Sunday night and could continue through Tuesday.
Impact on commuters
The flooding has forced tow trucks to rescue stranded vehicles, highlighting the vulnerability of temporary detour routes during severe weather. Residents expressed concern about the safety of the current path, especially as forecasts call for continued precipitation.
What’s next?
Caltrans has not yet announced a timeline for reopening the flooded segment of the detour. In the meantime, county and city crews are actively pumping water from the roadway. Supervisor Hahn’s request for an alternate route underscores the need for proactive infrastructure planning, especially as the region prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games and the associated surge in traffic.
Commuters are advised to monitor local traffic updates and consider alternative routes, such as the 110, 710, or State Route 103, until a permanent solution is implemented.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
