By now, you’ve probably heard plenty about the 6th Street Bridge. If not, here are the basics: the recently opened viaduct spans the Los Angeles River, connecting Boyle Heights to the east with downtown L.A.’s Arts District to the west. It replaced a beloved but dangerous-in-an-earthquake bridge that was torn down in 2016.
Since it opened, the new bridge has been the site of dangerous driving (and the inevitable crashes), risky antics by some pedestrians, death-defying skateboarders, street takeovers, bike lanes dubbed “protected” but also “permeable” by the city, and heavy policing. All that activity generated plenty of headlines and think-pieces, some wondering what the bridge tells us about the future of Los Angeles.
And while we understand that the viaduct may be a symbol or omen of something larger than the steel and concrete structure itself, it’s also a bridge. L.A. Police now say things have calmed down a bit. Thousands of people are walking, rolling and driving across it every day, and most of them aren’t doing burnouts, climbing the arches or partaking in other risky behaviors for some social media clout.
On a recent Friday, journalists from our newsroom spent the afternoon and evening on and around the bridge to see how Angelenos and visitors are using it and what it means for them. Here’s what we saw and what bridge-goers had to say.
‘It’s Fantastic Art’
Bob Gurr, 91, snaps a photo of the 6th Street Bridge on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
Bob Gurr zipped along the bridge on his personal scooter, stopping to take photos as the setting sun lit up the clouds over downtown L.A.'s skyline.
“[I was] born here 91 years ago. I've watched the city change all these years, lived through the ‘30s, World War II. Now look what we've gotten in Los Angeles!”
Diehard Disney fans know Gurr, or at least his work. He was an early Imagineer at Disneyland, credited with designing dozens of ride vehicles, including Autopia, the Matterhorn bobsleds and the monorail. He made sure to pitch us his Instagram (“I have 35,000 followers!”).
As a designer, Gurr had a lot of insights about the viaduct, which he called “a fabulous spot.”
“This bridge has way more art in its civil engineering than I've ever seen. You have to go down underneath it. You have to be here at this time at night and look at the way the light goes over these arches and all the detail… We liked the old one, but boy, this bridge! The whole world is going to take note how you can use concrete and zinc-coated steel — and it's fantastic art.”
Former Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, 91, left, visited with bridge with friend Stan Baryla, 53, on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
Based on the public reception to the new bridge, Gurr said he’d like to see the city close it off to car traffic — at least on weekends — to allow people to enjoy the public space on foot or on wheels.
Memories And A Straight Shot To Work
Kat Guerrero was born and raised in Boyle Heights. She was visiting the new bridge for the first time with family, who still live in the neighborhood. Guerrero told us she was enjoying the walk.
“I want to keep doing it, especially with my daughter… I want her to see more of L.A.”
The Brief
-
As California Heads Towards Another Year Of Drought, Experts Predict Stricter Rules And Hope For Better Solutions
-
Around The World, Protesters Take To The Streets In Solidarity With Iranian Women
-
Bros' Star, Co-Writer Billy Eichner Says Straight People 'Just Didn't Show Up' At The Box Office
Guerrero has a lot of memories of the old 6th Street bridge, which she used to walk and take the bus across, plus some trips just to look at it with her boyfriend.
“What makes it a big thing is the movies it's been in,” she said of the original bridge, a future she also sees for the new one. “Now that it’s here, you could see all the new movies that they’re gonna make with this bridge.”
Guerrero also said it’ll be great for residents like her who live east of the river, but commute west for work.
“I work in McArthur Park so it makes it easier for me to get to work as well, so I don't have to worry about ‘Oh, I have to take Seventh Street’ or ‘Oh no, I gotta go to Fourth’... I could just go straight down Soto and Whittier all the way down and then I'll make it to downtown L.A. much faster.”
A pedestrian on the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.(Photo by Trevor Stamp)
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
A bridge-goer takes in the downtown Los Angeles skyline from the newly opened viaduct.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
'Vamos A Salir Adelante'
On the east side of the bridge, where the undulating concrete arches give way to Whittier Boulevard, several local vendors have set up shop.
Pedestrians seeking relief from the heat can choose from items like diced fruit or ice cold horchata. Those looking for something more hefty can treat themselves to anything from birria ramen to crêpes.
Olga Hernández set up her fruit stand when the bridge reopened. And like the bridge, she’s starting anew.
So far, business has been flowing, she said. Olga sets up at 10:30 a.m. with a multicolored patio umbrella to shield her from the sun. Cyclists, joggers and anyone else on foot who could use an agua fresca break flock to her. She offers two types of drinks: agua de jamaica, a tart iced tea made of dried hibiscus flower, and horchata, which is sweet, made of rice and cinnamon-rich.
For the rest of her day, she sells to the customers of a nearby laundromat or to tourists. They come from all over California and other parts of the world. Earlier this summer, Olga sold fruit to three girls from Guadalajara, Mexico. They didn’t want to leave L.A. without snagging a photo on the bridge.
Around 7 p.m., Hernández closes up shop and heads back to her home in Boyle Heights, where her husband and four daughters await. Her business had a rocky start, she told us. When the bridge first opened, the driving antics of some visitors prompted the police to temporarily close it off. Olga said the police apologized to her, knowing that the shutdowns would affect her business.
Despite the initial hiccups, Olga remains optimistic and hopes to slowly roll out more items. “It’s good for money to stay here in our community,” she said.
Olga was the first street vendor on the east side of the bridge. Now she has neighbors. A few feet away from the fruit stand, Karina Hernández — who is not related to her — set up a fully equipped taco and torta stand.
Within moments of putting up her taco and torta stand, Karina Hernández already had customers.
(Julia Barajas
/
LAist)
Just minutes after she and her crew finished propping up the red tents in early August, a customer wandered over. The alluring scent of freshly cooked beans, rice, carnitas, chicken and other meats made the Puebla-style treats hard to resist.
“It’s hard to find work,” said Karina, so she decided to launch her own business to support her family.
Yadira Hernández, who is also not related to the other women, shares this sentiment. Like Karina, it was her first day setting up.
She’s opted to sell fruit-filled crêpes topped with almonds, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle — anything a customer might crave.
Yadira recently arrived from Totonicapán, Guatemala with her 8-year-old son. They like to cross it together at night when it’s luminous.
“Vamos a salir adelante” (We’ll make it through), she said, adding the popularity of the new bridge is giving her an opportunity to make a living in the U.S.
‘Enjoy It But Don’t F— It Up’
A bicyclist rides underneath the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
The winding helix structure on the north side of the viaduct allows people to make their way up to it from Mission Road or connect to the other side of the bridge on a walkway underneath it.
As people move up and down the helix, a group of cyclists sit on its concrete ledge, sipping from beer cans and smoking joints.
Not all of them wanted to share their names, but a few introduced themselves as Ernie, Berto, Lucas and Chris. Most of them have been riding together for about 15 years and have incorporated the new bridge into their regular Friday night rides. Tonight they rode up from South Central and stopped here for a break and photo op on their way to Griffith Park.
One feature they’d like to see improved is the bike lanes. They suggest making them wider and swapping the plastic posts for metal beams to make them truly protective for cyclists.
“[Drivers] don’t pay attention. You gotta pay attention to yourself, especially riding a fixed gear, you gotta be ready [and] know when to stop.”
The new viaduct has drawn thousands each day, especially during the evening hours, when visitors use the public space to take in the scenery and exercise.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
The newly opened 6th Street Bridge has been a major public draw since it opened in mid-July.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
The newly opened 6th Street Bridge, which crosses the Los Angeles River to connect Boyle Heights and downtown, has become a destination for Angelenos and tourists.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
They’ve also noticed a fair amount of people walking in the bike lane, which defeats the purpose of giving cyclists a dedicated space. Still, they said it’s cool that the bridge has drawn so many people. Their advice to bridge-goers:
“Enjoy it but don’t f— it up.”
“People, stop acting reckless on the bridge…First day I came, I was like, damn, this is nice. [imitates sounds of car burning out] Man, there they go! F—ing up the street.”
A Photogenic First Visit
Montebello resident Edgar Estrada visited the bridge with his son, Samuel, who brought his A-game for a photo shoot. The 6-year-old stood on the concrete barrier separating the pedestrian walkway from the bike lane, jumping and making superhero poses like a pro.
His dad said they wanted to check out the much-hyped viaduct and get some photos before Samuel has to go back to school.
“It's a beautiful bridge but it's sad that there's already skid marks all over it,” Estrada said.
A pedestrians walks across L.A.'s newly opened 6th Street Bridge as a car passes by on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
Some of the more reckless drivers have made headlines for their antics on the bridge, but many motorists are content to cruise across the bridge and show off their classic rides.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
Pedestrians stop on the side of the newly opened 6th Street Bridge to take photos on Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
He’d seen the news about antics on the new bridge and even asked some of the police officers patrolling it if they planned to close it that night.
“They said probably around 2 a.m.,” he told me. ”Probably in the middle of night is when people come out here and do their stuff.”
You couldn't miss the substantial police presence on the bridge. During our time on the viaduct, there was a near-constant flow of patrol cars driving back and forth to discourage people from driving too fast or too slow (as in fully stopping in lanes to take photos).
Boyle Heights Remembers
If the bridge is a symbol of what’s to come, it’s also a reminder of what’s been lost. This is true for Efraín Martínez, who owned Zapotec Café, a small restaurant once located just off of Soto Street and Whittier Boulevard.
For Boyle Heights residents, Zapotec Café often functioned as a community center.
(Henry Q
/
Courtesy of Efraín Martínez)
The shop opened up in 2014, then changed its name in 2016. It wasn’t anything fancy, said Martínez. He described the feel of the place as “a bit rustic.” His friend made the tables from recycled material, so some of them were a little wobbly. Still, he said, the shop had “a big personality.”
Martínez is originally from San Lucas Quiaviní in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. To educate customers about his hometown, some of the menu items were named after deities like Cocijo, the Zapotec god of thunder and lightning.
In addition to serving sandwiches and drinks, the shop also functioned as a gallery for local artists and as a lending library. It also staged music nights and fundraisers for community members going through a rough patch.
On most days, Martínez would wake up at 5 a.m., go grocery shopping, then hurry to open the shop by 8 a.m. Before anyone came through the door, he’d have a cup of coffee and take it all in.
“At that time, I was proud of where I was in my life,” he said. “I was, like, ‘Wow. I'm really doing this.’”
A painting of Efraín Martínez in Zapotec Café, by artist Emilia Cruz.
( Courtesy Efraín Martínez)
Martínez, who lives on the Westside, spent most of his time at the shop in Boyle Heights. “I’d go home just to sleep,” he said. His customers took notice. Some offered to rent him a room so he wouldn’t have to drive so much — this at a time when concerns about gentrification were top of mind and some locals made sure to communicate that outsiders were not welcome.
In 2016, Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band performed beneath the original 6th Street Bridge, encouraging commuters to reroute during the demolition, which required freeway closures.
Then, once construction for the new bridge got under way, Martínez began to notice less foot traffic. Commuters also stopped coming by. He tried to keep his small business afloat and even started a GoFundMe account to fundraise. Community members eagerly pitched in. Some even stopped by the shop, asking how else they could help out.
But the bills kept piling up, and Martínez didn’t want to go into more debt. He held one last music night in August 2018. Then, he closed for good.
“I would really beat myself up for it back then. It was a business I put a lot of brain and a lot of heart into.”
Martínez is a photographer. And when the new bridge opened to the public in July, he was there to help break it in. He thought about Zapotec Café as he walked around, recalling the teachers who’d drop by for lunch. He also remembered the local tire shop owner who always ordered the same thing: lemonade with a mint leaf.
Then, while setting up his tripod, some of his old customers stopped to greet him. One man proudly re-introduced Martínez to his children, who were now grown.
“I wasn't ready for that,” said Martínez, acknowledging that he became emotional. “Being on the bridge, seeing all the familiar faces. I was like, man, people actually remember.”
A couple walk their dogs across the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
(Trevor Stamp for LAist)
What questions do you have about the 6th Street Bridge?
FAQs
What is so special about the 6th Street Bridge? ›
Designed by the architect Michael Maltzan, the Sixth Street Viaduct replaces a landmark that, at 3,500 feet, was the longest bridge in California when it was built in 1932.
Where is the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles? ›By now, you've probably heard plenty about the 6th Street Bridge. If not, here are the basics: the recently opened viaduct spans the Los Angeles River, connecting Boyle Heights to the east with downtown L.A.'s Arts District to the west.
What does the 6th Street Bridge connect? ›The Sixth Street Viaduct spans the Los Angeles River, the Santa Ana Freeway (US 101), and the Golden State Freeway (I-5), as well as Metrolink and Union Pacific railroad tracks and several local streets. The original, which opened in 1932 and demolished in 2016, was officialy opened with a replacement in 2022.
How much was the 6th Street Bridge? ›The more-than-half-mile, $588-million span connecting the Arts District to the historic Eastside and Whittier Boulevard has become a new totem for the city's fissures over transit, policing, housing, equity, culture and land use.
Why was the 6th bridge closed? ›Two weeks after its much-anticipated public opening, L.A.'s 6th Street Viaduct is closed. As Andy Kalmowitz reports in Jalopnik, the closure is “largely due to a near constant stream of illegal activity from drivers taking over the brand-new, $588 million bridge in downtown L.A.”
How long did the 6th St bridge take to build? ›Dubbed the “Ribbon of Light,” the $588-million project is considered the most extensive bridge project in the city's history and took six years to complete, with delays due to COVID-19.
Can you walk on the 6th Street Bridge? ›Location: 6th Street Bridge; Downtown Los Angeles. Parking: Free street parking available in the neighborhood for those wanting to walk the bridge's pedestrian path. Please observe all posted street signs. Cost: Free!
Why did they rebuild the 6th Street Bridge? ›Unfortunately, due to seismic vulnerability and a rare chemical reaction in the cement supports, it was determined that the original Sixth Street Viaduct needed to be replaced. The design of the new bridge, known as “The Ribbon of Light”, was created by HNTB and Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan.
Where is the new 6th St bridge? › How old is the 6th Street Bridge? ›When was the 6th St bridge built? ›
When did the 6th Street Bridge reopen? ›The Sixth Street Viaduct opened on July 10 and since that time, it's been plagued by illegal activity such as street takeovers, graffiti, crashes, and social media stunts.
How much did it cost to build the 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles? ›“And the answer is unequivocally yes. We do deserve good things,” he said, referencing the $558 million bridge. “Especially in light of a global pandemic, we especially deserve very good things.”
Is the Sixth Street Bridge finished? ›ABOUT THE SIXTH STREET VIADUCT REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Construction is led by contractors Skanska Stacy and Witbeck. The new viaduct is expected to be completed in Summer of 2022.
Photos: L.A.'s new 6th Street Viaduct opens to pedestrians and then vehicles.
How long is the 6th Street Bridge? › How much was the L.A. bridge? ›As my colleague Shawn Hubler and I reported this week, the long-awaited $588 million bridge has proved irresistible to Los Angeles residents, including all kinds of troublemakers.
How much did the new LA bridge cost? ›No citations or arrests were announced. It was the fourth time in five nights that police decided to close the $588 million bridge, which opened to the public on July 10.
When did they close 6th Street Bridge? ›The viaduct, built in 1932, was closed in 2016 for upgrades to the seismically deficient structure.
How many arches does the 6th Street bridge have? ›The Arches
There are 10 pairs of arches. Arches have a 9-degree outward cant and support the bridge deck with a cable network.
Is viaduct a bridge? ›
A viaduct is a long bridge-like structure carrying a road or railway across a valley or other low ground. Bridges are built across rivers or arms of the sea, whereas viaducts tend to cross valleys and low lying areas where there may or may not be a river.
What is the main strip in Austin? ›Sixth Street is distinctly Austin. With its colorful and bustling array of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, it's a sure bet for experiencing local characters and the vibrancy of the city.
What happened to New LA bridge? ›Built in 1932, the moderne bridge suffered from what engineers called “concrete cancer,” continually disintegrating due to a chemical reaction, and had to be replaced.
Does LA have a new bridge? ›The day was Sunday, July 10, and thousands had gathered for the opening of the Sixth Street Viaduct, a bridge connecting downtown Los Angeles with the historic Boyle Heights neighborhood.
How old is the 6th Street Bridge? › How long is the Sixth Street Bridge? ›The finished bridge will stretch 3,060 feet long and 100 feet wide, with 10 network arch spans and 388 hangers supporting the bridge deck. It also includes four vehicle lanes, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.
Is the Sixth Street Bridge finished? ›ABOUT THE SIXTH STREET VIADUCT REPLACEMENT PROJECT
Construction is led by contractors Skanska Stacy and Witbeck. The new viaduct is expected to be completed in Summer of 2022.
The bridge opened July 10 to much fanfare, marking a key milestone in a construction project that began in 2016 to replace a 1932-vintage structure. But city officials, including Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León, were not anticipating what would come next.
Why did they rebuild the 6th Street Bridge? ›Unfortunately, due to seismic vulnerability and a rare chemical reaction in the cement supports, it was determined that the original Sixth Street Viaduct needed to be replaced. The design of the new bridge, known as “The Ribbon of Light”, was created by HNTB and Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzan.
When did they close 6th Street Bridge? ›The viaduct, built in 1932, was closed in 2016 for upgrades to the seismically deficient structure.
How much was the LA new bridge? ›
In July, LA's new $588 million bridge opened hot — too hot. The city was unprepared for the hordes descending on this beauty of a bridge, with its unmatched skyline views and its “Ribbon of Light” design.
Why was the LA bridge built? ›Located in a highly urbanized area just east of downtown Los Angeles, the original bridge acted as a critical transportation link between the neighborhoods of the Arts District on the west side and Boyle Heights on the east side.
Where is the new 6th St bridge? › How tall is the Sixth Street Bridge? ›The helix will be 790' long, 12' wide, and 45' tall. The south side structure ramp is 640' long. There will be a 510' long west ramp from the north side of the deck to the ground near Mateo Ave. There will be five sets of stairs connecting the viaduct to the spaces underneath.
Can you walk on the 6th Street Bridge? ›Location: 6th Street Bridge; Downtown Los Angeles. Parking: Free street parking available in the neighborhood for those wanting to walk the bridge's pedestrian path. Please observe all posted street signs. Cost: Free!
Does LA have a new bridge? ›The day was Sunday, July 10, and thousands had gathered for the opening of the Sixth Street Viaduct, a bridge connecting downtown Los Angeles with the historic Boyle Heights neighborhood.
What is the main strip in Austin? ›Sixth Street is distinctly Austin. With its colorful and bustling array of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, it's a sure bet for experiencing local characters and the vibrancy of the city.
How long was 6th Street Bridge closed? ›In the 17 days that the bridge has been open, it's become a landmark for illegal takeovers and street racing, collisions and graffiti tags.
Is 6th Street Bridge open to pedestrians? ›Photos: L.A.'s new 6th Street Viaduct opens to pedestrians and then vehicles.