As part of the replacement of a critical bridge serving the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the project team developed a strategy to install two 2.1-million-lb precast concrete bridge fenders to safeguard the structure from vessel impacts. The original plan to use cofferdams for the project posed a host of cost, schedule and operational risks because extremely large structures would be required to accommodate the 132-ft by 18-ft by 20-ft fenders and provide sufficient working room. Installing the fenders in segments would still require building sizable cofferdams and add time to the construction schedule.