Skip to Content

Thanks to our advertising sponsor -

Bike Walk Paths

Eyes on the Street: New Taylor Yard Walk/Bike Bridge

5:15 PM PDT on March 21, 2022

Newly opened Taylor Yard Bridge – photos by Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

LongBeachize_Ad_Concepts — This article supported by Los Angeles Bicycle Attorney as part of a general sponsorship package. All opinions in the article are that of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of LABA. Click on the ad for more information.

Last Monday's invitation-only opening didn't turn out to be a great opportunity for Streetsblog to get to know L.A.'s newly-open Taylor Yard bike/walk bridge over the Los Angeles River. So SBLA went back to the scene earlier today, and took lots more photos of the great new bridge. See last week's article for more on the history of the project, and the communities it connects.

Location of new Elysian Valley L.A. River bridge. Base via Google Maps

New Taylor Yard bike/walk bridge over the L.A. River in Elysian Valley

approach — On the southwest (Elysian Valley) side ramp there are sculptural planters with drought-resistant landscaping

belvedere — In the middle of the bridge are two viewing platforms - called belvederes

view — The view downstream from a belvedere. The bridge is located in the eight-mile-long, relatively natural Glendale Narrows stretch of the river. When the river was reinforced to minimize flooding, this area got sloped concrete walls. Springs pushing water up from underground prevented fully encasing the river in concrete, so the earthen bottom area supports an ecosystem harboring tall trees and various birds and fish.

xxx — Cyclists of all ages now enjoy the Taylor Yard bridge

xxx — The ~400-foot orange open frame box of the bridge is level/flat, while the path inside the box slopes upward crossing the river south to north (left to right in the above picture.) The slope was apparently needed to allow vehicles to cross below the bridge on the access road on the right.

xxx — On the north (Taylor Yard / Cypress Park) side of the bridge, the path ramps back down to ground level, crossing an unused spur rail track before meeting up with an access road

sculpture — The north side features this metal artifact (sculpture?) that may have been used in the making of the bridge.

xxx — The end of the new bikeway. The bridge combined with the access ramp totals about 700 new feet of bike/walk path.

xxx — There is an existing concrete path - marked "bike path" - that runs along the east side of the access road extending to San Fernando Road.

xxx — The city has also added sharrows to the access road that leads to the bridge (and to the Metrolink maintenance yard just downstream)

xxx — The new Taylor Yard bridge

xxx — The bridge connects people with the existing seven-and-a-half-mile L.A. River bike/walk path

xxxx — Another reflection photo of the new Taylor Yard bridge

Joe Linton @StreetsblogLA

Joe Linton is an editor at Streetsblog Los Angeles

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

SGV Connect 130 – Streetsblog Editors Recap the 2024 Election

The post-election special features a pair of Streetsblog editors, Joe Linton of Streetsblog L.A. and Melanie Curry of Streetsblog California, joining Damien Newton and Chris Greenspon.

Joe Linton, Chris Greenspon, Melanie Curry, and Damien Newton

November 15, 2024

Today's Headlines

Friday’s Headlines

November 15, 2024

Today's stories are presented by

Today's Headlines

Thursday’s Headlines

November 14, 2024

Streetsblog California

Unproven Tunnel Idea Getting in the Way of Inland Empire Transit Solutions

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority is still considering a car tunnel instead of high-capacity transit serving the Ontario Airport and its planned expansions

November 14, 2024

Downtown Metro B/D Line Subway Service Suspended This Weekend For Electrical Work

Metro is temporarily closing DTLA B/D Line stations and SGV A Line stations - all to get ready for new extensions opening soon

November 14, 2024