Early Friday morning, several drivers found their vehicles stuck in floodwater on the Harry Bridges Boulevard and Alameda Street detour in the coastal Wilmington neighborhood. The unexpected inundation forced tow trucks to the scene to pull cars from the water and highlighted ongoing challenges with the temporary detour route.
Caltrans asked to provide a new detour
County Supervisor Janice Hahn issued a statement calling on Caltrans to identify an alternate detour 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.”
Bridge project and timeline
The Vincent Thomas Bridge, a critical harbor crossing, has been closed to traffic for a 16‑month, $750 million project to replace its deck. The bridge is slated to reopen in March 2028, just months before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Until then, motorists have been routed primarily along the 110 and 710 freeways, State Route 103, and Harry Bridges Boulevard.
Rainfall outlook
Rain arrived in Los Angeles early Friday and is expected to continue intermittently through Sunday as two Pacific storm systems move through the region. Friday morning’s rainfall rates were generally under a quarter‑inch per hour, with higher amounts in isolated spots. Showers were forecast to taper off Friday afternoon, but a second round of more widespread rain is expected Friday night and into early Saturday. Most areas are projected to receive less than an inch of rain from the two systems combined. Additional rain is also forecast for Sunday night, with precipitation likely to persist through Tuesday.
Impact on commuters
Commuters using the detour have reported delays and safety concerns as floodwater accumulates on the low‑lying roadway. The county’s public works crews are actively pumping water from the affected segment, but the ongoing rain threatens to overwhelm current drainage capacity.
Next steps
Local officials are monitoring the situation closely. While Caltrans has not yet announced a specific alternate route, Supervisor Hahn’s request underscores the urgency of providing a safe, reliable path for drivers until the bridge project is completed. Residents are advised to stay informed of road conditions, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes when possible.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
