Santa Monica landmark is coming down in major Pier makeover

Santa Monica’s most iconic sign is about to disappear from the pier — dismantled, hauled away and shipped to Las Vegas as the city embarks on a multimillion-dollar bridge overhaul.The 20-foot blue neon arch, a fixture above the entrance since 1941, is expected to come down by the end of September.And then it’s Vegas-bound.The vintage sign could remain out of sight for nearly a year while crews replace the 87-year-old bridge beneath it.The sign will be restored by YESCO before returning to its perch atop the rebuilt bridge, according to the city.“The sign is not being removed permanently or replaced,” the City of Santa Monica website reads.“It is being refurbished and its historic character will remain intact.

It will be returned — looking better than ever — to its rightful place at the top of the bridge when construction is complete, expected in late 2027.”For now, visitors will have to settle for a half-scale replica installed along the temporary walkway.The disappearing act is part of a $35.5 million bridge replacement project awarded to Shimmick Construction Company. The taxpayer-funded overhaul will replace the aging connection between the pier and city streets with a new bridge built to modern seismic standards, along with wider pedestrian sidewalks and redesigned walkways.The new structure is expected to have a 70-year service life, with construction scheduled for completion by December 2027.But getting the old sign out of the way is no small feat.Workers will first cut its electrical power and remove the neon tubes before dismantling the massive structure in sections.A crane will then lift the pieces free, with the sign, truss and other components secured for the trip to Vegas.The city has not given a precise removal date, but the sign is expected to be gone before the end of September.“The mention of the 2028 Olympics is only part of the equation in that we’d like to have construction completed before then; it is not the impetus for t...