los angeles sixth street viaduct by michael maltzan

demolition work is set to start in los angeles, where a new viaduct will take the place of the original sixth street bridge built in 1932 — owing to deterioration caused by a chemical reaction in the concrete. designed by michael maltzan, the scheme also forms an urban park, uniting the boyle heights community to the east and the arts district and downtown to the west. the design is the product of an international competition led by the city of los angeles bureau of engineering.

all images courtesy of NoTriangle studio

working alongside engineers HNTB, maltzan developed the design to accommodate a range of transport. consequently, the viaduct incorporates significant new bicycle connections, and also increases connectivity for pedestrian access, not only at its endpoints, but along the entirety of the structure.

the scheme forms an urban park, uniting the boyle heights community to the east

the 3,500 foot (1,067 meter) viaduct is defined by ten pairs of repeated concrete arches, rising and falling along the north and south edges of the bridge as it extends from east to west. the arches incline outward from a deck, which is suspended from the cable lattice at its perimeter. below, the structure’s generous spans create large open spaces that form recreational green areas.

the structure’s generous spans create large open spaces that form recreational areas

five pedestrian stairways along the length of the viaduct connect the bridge with the ground, a strategy that promotes a more significant degree of urban connectivity. under the eastern portion of the viaduct, a wide range of public activities occupy what was once a purely industrial zone. finally, a sloping path links the river to a future arts plaza at the terminus of the viaduct. construction work is underway as of february 2016, with the viaduct scheduled to complete in 2019.

the 3,500 foot viaduct is is defined by ten pairs of repeated concrete arches

the arches incline outward from the deck

concept sketch

model of the new design with the existing viaduct in the background

the viaduct is scheduled to complete in 2019

project info:

location: los angeles, california
type: new viaduct and urban park
size: 3,500 feet (1,067 meters)
status: anticipated completion 2019