Downtown Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Sixth Street Viaduct
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 9, 2023
1. Sixth Street Viaduct Marker
Inscription.
Sixth Street Viaduct. . The original Sixth Street Viaduct, constructed in 1932, included art deco features, two pairs of iconic steel arches, and was recognized as Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument 905. The 1932 viaduct was designed by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering team of Merrill Butler, Louis L. Huot and Louis Blume. At 3,546 feet long with 43 spans, it was the longest of all the Los Angeles River bridges and became a popular filming location. Over time, the historic viaduct's concrete began to decay through a chemical process known as alkali silica reaction that weakened the bridge, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. After numerous efforts to save the bridge, the city determined it needed to be replaced. It was demolished in 2016. The new Sixth Street Viaduct's design, "The Ribbon of Light", pays respect to the original arched structure it replaced. The new viaduct, completed in 2022, is a network-tied arch structure that is designed to withstand a 1,000-year seismic event. The viaduct was designed to provide enhanced safety features for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles for generations to come.
The original Sixth Street Viaduct, constructed in 1932, included art deco features, two pairs of iconic steel arches, and was recognized as Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument 905. The 1932 viaduct was designed by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering team of Merrill Butler, Louis L. Huot and Louis Blume. At 3,546 feet long with 43 spans, it was the longest of all the Los Angeles River bridges and became a popular filming location. Over time, the historic viaduct's concrete began to decay through a chemical process known as alkali silica reaction that weakened the bridge, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. After numerous efforts to save the bridge, the city determined it needed to be replaced. It was demolished in 2016. The new Sixth Street Viaduct's design, "The Ribbon of Light", pays respect to the original arched structure it replaced. The new viaduct, completed in 2022, is a network-tied arch structure that is designed to withstand a 1,000-year seismic event. The viaduct was designed to provide enhanced safety features for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles for generations to come.
Erected 2022 by City of Los Angeles.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 34° 2.304′
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N, 118° 13.82′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. Marker is on 6th Street, half a mile east of Alameda Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located near the southwest corner of the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90021, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. This marker is located near the southwest corner of the bridge, and an identical marker is located near the northeast corner of the bridge, a half-mile away.
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 9, 2023
2. Sixth Street Viaduct Marker
The Department of Water and Power River Switching Station is visible below.
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 9, 2023
3. Sixth Street Viaduct
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
