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 faithin the bridge's future success.
-- Designed by the Bridge Department of the California Division of Highways, now known as Caltrans, which owns and maintains the bridge.
-- Encompasses 2.2 miles of Los Angeles County Route CA-47.
-- 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 In 2000, the Bridge was considered “paid for” and the toll was repealed.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 ThePortofLosAngeles.org
