Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: The Time-Lapse Demolition Of The Sixth Street Bridge
Bid a fond farewell to the Sixth Street Viaduct with a new time-lapse video that shows the dramatic destruction of the first portion of the historic bridge.
Over the first weekend in February, construction crews set to work demolishing the stretch of the iconic and frequently filmed, yet unstable bridge that crossed above the 101 Freeway. As fond as we are of the 84-year-old viaduct—which connects Downtown L.A. to Boyle Heights—it needs to come down as a rare chemical reaction in the cement supports are causing it to slowly crumble and make it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. To accomplish the first portion of this major undertaking, Caltrans shut down the 101 for 40 hours from Friday, February 5th at 10 p.m. to Sunday, February 7th at 10 a.m. They even enlisted Mayor Eric Garcetti's smooth and dulcet tones to announce the closure.
And if the Mayor's 101 'SlowJam' was too mellow for you, Caltrans has just released a time-lapse of the bridge teardown, complete with a melodic and pulsating, syncopated soundtrack. Watching the excavators and massive drills tear into the bridge and its pylons at the sped-up pace resembles a nature video of termites handily devouring an old log:
The video definitely makes the whole process seem pretty neat and tidy, and in fact, the crews worked so efficiently they actually finished four hours ahead of schedule.
But don't worry, there's still plenty more demolishing to be done as the viaduct is slowly torn down and a new one is built over the next three years. So, we can probably expect more videos, as well as detours and delays in the years to come.
Related:
A Farewell Party For The Sixth Street Bridge With Food Trucks And Fireworks
Videos: The Sixth Street Bridge Farewell Got A Little Out Of Control Last Night
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
