Downtown LA

Eyes on the Street: Sixth Street Bridge Construction Underway

Construction is proceeding on L.A.'s $482 million Sixth Street Viaduct, anticipated to open in 2019

By Joe Linton

12:48 PM PDT on May 31, 2018

Eyes on the Street: Sixth Street Bridge Construction Underway

Construction proceeding on the new 6th Street Viaduct. All photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

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Construction is proceeding on L.A. City’s $482 million Sixth Street Viaduct. The historic 1932 viaduct was demolished over the course of several months in 2016. The new bridge is now anticipated to open in 2020.

The new landmark bridge will extend nearly a mile – all the way from Boyle Heights, over the Los Angeles River, and into downtown Los Angeles.

It will include ample space for cars and pedestrians. Where cyclists are expected to fit as yet remains unclear. Protected bike lanes were promised in the original documents, but have yet to make a formal appearance in a rendering, model, or budget.

The design – by architect Michael Maltzan – features a series of massive arches. To get a sense for the project, watch this fly-through video. On either side of the river underneath the new structure, there will be a new park, performance, sports, and play spaces.

The new bridge appears to make space for cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Source: — Rendering of the new Sixth Street Viaduct which will feature a series of monumental arches. Source: Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement project

The new arches have not been built yet, but their Y-shaped bases are visible today, especially east of the river. Construction appears to be furthest along near the 101 Freeway, with very little visible construction on the downtown end, west of the river.

View of series of under-construction bases for the future 6th Street Viaduct (photo from Anderson Street looking west toward DTLA)

These Y-shaped structures are the bases for the future Sixth Street Viaduct arches

Another Y-shaped base for the 6th Street Viaduct. This one was the only one visible where the mold had been removed and the concrete was showing. — Another Y-shaped base for the Sixth Street Viaduct. This was one of only a couple Ys where the mold had been removed and the concrete was showing.

View in the center of the two under-construction roadway decks for the Sixth Street Viaduct

The Y-structure closest to the 101 Freeway, tall cyclists shown for scale — The Y-structure closest to the 101 Freeway, with tall cyclists shown for scale

View of 6th Street Viaduct construction from the 4th Street Bridge. So far, the work at the river itself appears to be platforms to support construction above. — View of Sixth Street Viaduct construction from the Fourth Street Bridge. So far, the work at the river itself appears to be mostly platforms to support construction above. Note Y-shaped arch base structures visible to the left.

For more information on the Sixth Street Viaduct, see earlier SBLA coverage or the city’s project website.

Joe Linton

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