01.27.2016
OLD SIXTH STREET VIADUCT
CLOSES TO MAKE WAY FOR
NEW VIADUCT CONSTRUCTION
The Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project reached another significant milestone with the official closing of the original 1932 bridge. The bridge was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic by city workers on January 27, 2016.
As part of a final farewell to the iconic bridge, Michael Maltzan joined Councilmember Jose Huizar and City Engineer Gary Lee Moore for a final celebratory walk across the bridge. Councilmember Huizar remarked, “While I’m sad today and I hate to see it go — and we’re doing it because of public safety concern — I’m looking forward to the future the new bridge will provide.”
Later in the day, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that Leonard Hill, a founding partner of Linear City Development, will donate $1.9 million to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles for the design, construction, and programming of a new community arts plaza beneath the Sixth Street Viaduct in the Arts District. In his comments, Mayor Garcetti noted “Just as the Sixth Street Bridge has connected the neighborhoods to the east and west of the L.A. River, Leonard’s incredible gift will give future generations of Angelenos a beautiful place to connect with the outdoors, their communities, and each other.” The Plaza is expected to be constructed in 2019 and begin arts programming in the space in 2020.
MMA is the bridge designer for the new bridge and is part of the design-build team with engineers HNTB and contractors Skanska and Stacy and Witbeck. The $449 million viaduct is set to be completed in 2019.
