Iconic Sixth Street Viaduct rebuild project progressing toward opening next summer.
Public Works: The rebuilding of the Sixth Street Viaduct, one of the most important engineering projects in the City, is progressing well, according to Public Works/Engineering reports. The new bridge is scheduled to open in the summer of 2022.
The Bureau of Engineering closed the 101 Freeway over the May 3 weekend to facilitate a major concrete pour, and reopened the freeway 20 hours early.
The rebuild project, prompted by the discovery of failing concrete in the original bridge, is a $588-million, nearly mile-long bridge over the 101 Freeway, the Los Angeles River and over the Metrolink/Amtrak railroad tracks, spanning the Arts District downtown and Boyle Heights. It is more than a vital transportation link – its predecessor was also an important cultural icon, and the plans for the new viaduct also include parklands to help reconnect the City with the LA River. That is being coordinated with Rec and Parks.
The bridge replacement project was detailed in an Alive! cover story in June 2018. Julie Allen, Principal Civil Engineer, Public Works/Engineering, Club Member, is the project lead.
According to Mary Nemick, Bureau of Engineering spokesperson, the City has completed six of the 20 largest arches that will support the bridge deck. The new viaduct will feature extensive lighting decorations, which Alive! chronicled in our main story in May.
Well done, team. We look forward to crossing over the bridge soon!
