Central Los Angeles is undergoing a major update and, in the process, losing a major icon. A crew has begun demolition of the Art Deco Sixth Street Viaduct—famous for its appearance in everything from major films (the car race in Grease) to music videos (Madonna’s Borderline)—in preparation for its replacement. The treasured bridge, spanning two sets of rail tracks, two freeways, many city streets, and the L.A. River, was originally constructed in 1932 during the City Beautiful movement, an era in which grand civic projects were commissioned across the U.S. But the viaduct was doomed from the start: Alkali and silica in the bridge's concrete are forming a rare chemical reaction, weakening the structure. Experts have deemed the bridge structurally unsound, especially given California’s high seismic activity. As locals from the neighborhoods traversed by the viaduct bemoaned its death sentence, tremendous effort went into finding a suitable replacement. Led by the city’s Bureau of Engineering, officials chose a proposal by architect Michael Maltzan and engineering firm HTNB.

The new design pays homage to the original Sixth Street Viaduct.

Echoing the viaduct’s design, arched trusses will support the cabled bridge, which will have lanes for vehicle, bicycle, and foot traffic. The bridge will feature access for pedestrians at seven locations and will incorporate special bicycle ramps. It will also give rise to a series of public outdoor spaces that will offer programming to breathe new life into the highly industrial neighborhoods. At night the bridge will be lit, hence its current nickname, the “Ribbon of Light.” Construction is expected to be complete in 2019.

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