Wilmington is finally getting a front door to its waterfront. City leaders and construction crews broke ground this week on the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway, a $152 million public-access project that will convert roughly 12 acres of former industrial land into new parkland and a pedestrian connection to the water. The plan centers on a long pedestrian span over an active rail corridor, plus plazas, pathways, and play areas intended to make the waterfront easier and safer to reach on foot and by bike. Officials say the project is designed to serve local families and create space for community events.
We’re transforming an underutilized space into a place the community can truly call its own. This is a long-term investment for Wilmington families and future generations. Designed with input from local residents, the project will feature a landscaped entry plaza, a 40-foot https://t.co/tr7j8sEOzZ
— Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) February 27, 2026
Project at a glance
The Port of Los Angeles says the Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway will serve as a new public gateway, anchored by a 380-foot-long concrete cable-stayed arch bridge that connects Avalon Boulevard to the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade. About 12 acres are slated to be transformed into open space featuring a landscaped entry plaza, a 40-foot architectural sundial, a history walk, terrace seating, pedestrian pathways, parking and restrooms, along with related street and utility upgrades. Construction began at a February 26 ceremony, and the Port expects work to wrap up by late summer 2028.
Design and community input
Renderings released by the design team show a modern, planted span with pockets of seating and a promenade that guides pedestrians through a "history walk" into open lawns and play areas. Engineering firm T.Y. Lin International is listed as the bridge designer, and planners say the Port conducted multiple public workshops and design charrettes so neighborhood voices could shape features such as the sundial and the great lawn, according to Urbanize LA and the project's site designer YKD.
Funding and timeline
The Port says the project is backed by a mix of local, state, and federal grants, with identified grant partners including Metro Measure M and state and federal transportation programs. Mayor Karen Bass called the start of construction "a long-term investment for Wilmington families and future generations" in a post on X, and officials from the Port and the city's 15th District said the bridge will improve access and support local businesses, according to the Port of Los Angeles and Mayor Karen Bass's post.
What's next for the neighborhood
Once finished, the bridge and promenade will plug directly into the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade, a nine-acre public space and pier that opened in February 2024. The added connection is expected to expand room for events and walking access to the water. Planners and advocates say continued outreach and programming will follow construction, with the new gateway intended to bolster local retail and provide more green space for residents, per LA Waterfront and local coverage of the project's design phase.
