Photo by Iwan Baan, courtesy Michael Maltzan Architecture
Last Friday, Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León proposed an ordinance prohibiting street takeovers, drag racing, vandalism, and climbing the arches, among others, of the recently-openedSixth Street Viaduct.
Along with the ordinance, de León also proposed a motion to calculate the cost of periodically closing the bridge to cars for pedestrians and cyclists only. His proposal is as follows (h/t Urbanize Los Angeles):
The Bureau of Engineering to report on the resources and timeline to install cameras, fencing, signage, and traffic control mitigations to increase public safety.
LAPD and the Department of Transportation to report on the resources required to keep traffic on the bridge safely flowing.
Recreation & Parks and LAPD along with the Bureau of Sanitation to report back on a long-term plan for security, staffing, and maintenance for the new Sixth Street Viaduct PARC, which will include both the parks and arts plaza to be built on the Boyle Heights and Arts Districts sides.
Chief Administrative Officer to report back on the resources needed to close the bridge periodically to vehicular traffic for pedestrian and bicycle access only.
The City Attorney’s Office to prepare an ordinance that prohibits climbing over the bridge fencing, getting on the arches, defacing the bridge, street takeovers, drag racing, and dangerous driving or stopping on the bridge or inhibiting traffic.
Similar articles on Archinect that may interest you...
At $588 million, this project is a big fail at this point for the city. This is nothing more than a bridge with lipstick - not a social connector. Look at the lack of median or pedestrian activity areas. It's really pretty concrete and an impressive addition to the skyline from afar, but nothing more.
Aug 4, 22 12:12 am ·
·
sameolddoctor
Its got pretty wide pedestrian areas on both sides - isnt that a "social connector"? The bike lanes could be protected well - now they are just rubber and plastic bollards, but apart from all that it IS A BRIDGE. As far as pedestrian activity areas go, if those were provided, our LA denizens would just proceed to trash up the place even more than they did....
Aug 4, 22 1:49 pm ·
·
Janosh
I don't know how you could evaluate it's success as a social connector at this point. Most of the community amenities won't be done for three more years. I'm neutral on the transportation part - we lived without it for quite a while, and although the bike lanes are a major fail the rest of it seems to work fine for pedestrian and auto passage.
Without passing design judgement it is suprising there is no kind of integrated security barrier to prevent people from walking up the arches.
The wideness and the gradualness of the arches make them look pretty inviting as a path to traverse as opposed to, say, the cables on a long suspension bridge which are typically secured access.
I would think the building itself is still under post-construction commissioning. I am sure the City is taking notes and developing solutions to problems. Here is my first crossing of it I shot yesterday towards ELA. It is a long and beautifully designed bridge.
I don't know, Orhan. I watched your video and I've looked at other images and I just think this bridge is clunky. It doesn't excite me at all. But that's just my opinion.
Agree, Donna - but this may like one of those LA things that one has to drive on to experience - pictures or videos may not capture it. Like one of those epic freeway interchanges...
I also think the entire project is only halfway finished. What will make this project complete is the river park under it. Only then people are going to pay respect. Right now, everybody is claiming territory. It will wear off.
11 Comments
At $588 million, this project is a big fail at this point for the city. This is nothing more than a bridge with lipstick - not a social connector. Look at the lack of median or pedestrian activity areas. It's really pretty concrete and an impressive addition to the skyline from afar, but nothing more.
Its got pretty wide pedestrian areas on both sides - isnt that a "social connector"? The bike lanes could be protected well - now they are just rubber and plastic bollards, but apart from all that it IS A BRIDGE. As far as pedestrian activity areas go, if those were provided, our LA denizens would just proceed to trash up the place even more than they did....
I don't know how you could evaluate it's success as a social connector at this point. Most of the community amenities won't be done for three more years. I'm neutral on the transportation part - we lived without it for quite a while, and although the bike lanes are a major fail the rest of it seems to work fine for pedestrian and auto passage.
Without passing design judgement it is suprising there is no kind of integrated security barrier to prevent people from walking up the arches.
The wideness and the gradualness of the arches make them look pretty inviting as a path to traverse as opposed to, say, the cables on a long suspension bridge which are typically secured access.
I would think the building itself is still under post-construction commissioning. I am sure the City is taking notes and developing solutions to problems.
Here is my first crossing of it I shot yesterday towards ELA. It is a long and beautifully designed bridge.
https://youtu.be/CM03R9UDS9E
I don't know, Orhan. I watched your video and I've looked at other images and I just think this bridge is clunky. It doesn't excite me at all. But that's just my opinion.
Agree, Donna - but this may like one of those LA things that one has to drive on to experience - pictures or videos may not capture it. Like one of those epic freeway interchanges...
I also think the entire project is only halfway finished. What will make this project complete is the river park under it. Only then people are going to pay respect. Right now, everybody is claiming territory. It will wear off.
Donna, structures tend to get clunky in Los Angeles due to the inevitable "big one." But I see your point. I also like Dr's assessment.
people climbing the arches
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.