The Port of San Diego Monday began construction work on the Imperial Beach Pier to replace pilings and maintain the structural integrity of the landmark, which will cause a closure the rest of the week.
Previously, the port said the pier would remain open Monday and Tuesday for staging and prep work by contracted crews. On Monday that plan was amended to close it to the public all week.
"The port appreciates the public's understanding and patience on this unanticipated schedule change and will provide further updates as needed," a statement from the agency reads.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning, crews will place the pilings before opening again Friday afternoon for the weekend. Finally, Nov. 25- 27, the pier will close at the midway point for localized deck board replacement and utility piping work.
During the closure period this week, the crews will use a helicopter to stage and install the new pilings — weather dependent.
The Port of San Diego has managed the pier since 1991 and has done major construction work several times, including an upgrade in 2006 and a replacement of nearly all of the pier's planks in 2014.
More recently, in 2021 and 2022, the port finished some beautification work such as murals, a shade canopy, new paint and replacing a wood railing with a steel cable one.
Future construction work may require partial pier closures or short full pier closures, a statement from the port read. The full project is scheduled to be complete in summer 2025.
