Santa Monica's iconic 20-foot blue neon arch sign, which has been a fixture above the pier entrance since 1941, is set to be dismantled as part of a multimillion-dollar bridge replacement project. The sign is expected to be removed by the end of September 2026 and will be transported to Las Vegas for restoration by YESCO. It is anticipated to be out of sight for nearly a year while crews replace the 87-year-old bridge beneath it.
According to the City of Santa Monica, the sign is not being permanently removed or replaced; it will be refurbished and returned to its original location atop the rebuilt bridge, which is expected to be completed in late 2027. In the meantime, a half-scale replica of the sign will be installed along the temporary walkway for visitors.
The bridge replacement project, which has a budget of $35.5 million and is awarded to Shimmick Construction Company, aims to replace the aging connection between the pier and city streets with a new bridge that meets modern seismic standards. The new structure will feature wider pedestrian sidewalks and redesigned walkways, with an expected service life of 70 years.
The removal process for the sign involves cutting its electrical power, removing the neon tubes, and dismantling the structure in sections. A crane will then lift the pieces for transport to Las Vegas. While the city has not provided a specific removal date, the sign is expected to be taken down before the end of September.
Constance Farrell, the former communications and public information manager for the City of Santa Monica, stated in 2022 that while the 2028 Olympics are a consideration, the completion of the construction is not solely driven by that event. The neon sign was unveiled on June 17, 1941, by the Santa Monica Pier Business Men’s Association and was designated a historic landmark by the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1996.