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. 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

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City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 905.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 34° 2.304′ N, 118° 13.82′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Downtown Los Angeles. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: National Biscuit Company Building

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2023

2. Sixth Street Viaduct Marker

The Department of Water and Power River Switching Station is visible below.

(approx. ¼ mile away); Ford Factory Los Angeles (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Sixth Street Viaduct (approx. half a mile away); Hollenbeck Park Bridge (approx. 0.7 miles away); Shinran Shonin (approx. ¾ mile away); The Bronze Statue of Shinran Shonin (approx. ¾ mile away); Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital (approx. ¾ mile away); The Bell of Dana (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

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.

Several bridges crossing the L.A. River are designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments: Hyperion Ave (#164), Cesar Chavez Ave (#224), Fletcher Drive (#322), Spring Street (#900), Main Street (#901), Olympic Blvd (#902), Washington Blvd (#903), Seventh Street (#904), Sixth Street (#905), Fourth Street (#906), Broadway (#907), Riverside Drive (#908), First Street (#909), and Riverside-Zoo Drive (#910).

Additional keywords. 6th Street, Fourth Street Bridge, Seventh Street Bridge

Sixth Street Viaduct image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2023

3. Sixth Street Viaduct

Original Sixth Street Viaduct image. Click for full size.

Public Domain, circa 2015

4. Original Sixth Street Viaduct

Fourth Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2023

5. Fourth Street Bridge

L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument No. 906.

Seventh Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 9, 2023

6. Seventh Street Bridge

Built in 1910. Raised deck added in 1927. L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument No. 904.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 278 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on July 6, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6. submitted on July 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.