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Why the LA River is getting a new $19 million bridge
An illustration of the proposed bridge. The northern end of the proposed bridge will be located adjacent to Kerr Road, and its southern end will be located adjacent to the Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, approximately between Altman Street and Dorris Place.
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Department of Public Works
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The plan to build a pedestrian bridge over the Los Angeles River, connecting Elysian Valley and Taylor Yard, was approved Monday by the Board of Public Works.
The bridge will run 400 feet and feature a central supportive column, according to Deborah Weintraub, chief deputy city engineer for L.A.'s Bureau of Engineering,
"I'm excited about the design and I think that it will be iconic as a river crossing for pedestrians and bicyclists," she told KPCC.
Weintraub, who helped design the bridge, said her team wanted the bridge's design to have as few interruptions to the river as possible.
The environmental review for the project, which will take place this fall, is being funded by Metro and LADWP. The entire project is estimated to cost $19 million, according to the Department of Public Works' plan for the bridge.
The northern end of the proposed bridge will be next to Kerr Road. Its southern end will be next to the Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, between Altman Street and Dorris Place.
Construction won't be completed for several more years, according to Weintraub.
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The Metro Board and City Council still need to approve several more aspects of the plan and select a builder for the project.
The idea for a bridge linking Elysian Valley and Taylor Yard originated in 1992, as part of a L.A. River Revitalization Plan.
The goal is to create a pedestrian crossing to connect the two communities and become a vibrant place for community activity.
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