FLAT STANLEY AT THE VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE

The Vincent Thomas Bridge is Flat Stanley's last stop on his California adventure before returning home to Chicago.

VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE FACTS

-- Third largest suspension span bridge in California,
after the Golden Gate Bridge and San
Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, respectively.

-- First welded (not riveted) suspension bridge in the
United States.

-- Only suspension bridge in the world supported
entirely on piles.

-- Named after Assemblyman Vincent Thomas of San
Pedro. In 1961, the California Legislature passed a
special measure to name the structure after
Thomas in honor of his persistence and faith
in the bridge's future success.

-- Required 92,000 tons of Portland cement, 13,000 tons of lightweight concrete,
14,100 tons of steel and 1,270 tons of suspension cable to construct.

-- When the Bridge opened in 1963, a 25-cent toll was collected in each direction.
On grand opening day, Assemblyman Thomas paid the first toll. In 1983, the toll
increased to 50 cents for westbound traffic and was free for eastbound traffic.
In 2000, the Bridge was considered “paid for” and the toll was repealed.

-- Painting the bridge is a routine and continuous maintenance job, handled by Caltrans,
which requires 1,500 gallons of zinc, 500 gallons of primer and 1,000 gallons
of green paint to cover the span.

-- In 1996, the Los Angeles City Council declared the Vincent Thomas Bridge as
the City of Los Angeles’ official welcoming monument.

from PortofLosAngeles.org