Behr Adventure: 6th Street Bridge

There's an online blog, blogdowntown, that provides information about what's going on in downtown Los Angeles. Unlike New York or San Francisco, Los Angeles has struggled as an urban center for many years. That is changing, however, with the Broadway Street project, new construction, and the conversion of many of buildings into lofts.

Not too long ago, my coworker found a story about the 6th Street bridge, which spans the Los Angeles river. Erected in 1932, this bridge provides a major artery into downtown from East LA. You may remember the "I Love LA" song by Randy Newman; part of the lyrics talk about 6th Street and Whittier Boulevard; unknown to non-Angelenos is this is the same road! But I digress.

It seems that the 6th Street bridge is slowly eroding from the inside out. This, you can imagine, is not a good thing. So in time the bridge will be torn down and a new bridge built. The project isn't slated to begin until 2014. My coworker, P, and I talked about walking the bridge long before we found out that the bridge is slated for demolition. Yesterday she and I did just that.

We started out having breakfast then driving to the bridge and walking over it. I took the following pictures with my iPhone. Click on each picture for a larger view.

One of two "gates" on the east end of the bridge

Looking west toward downtown from the east end of the bridge.

The sign announcing that you're traveling over the LA River

Steel support in the middle of the bridge.

The LA river; it's more of a cement eyesore  used in many films.

Downtown LA in the distance; still looking west.

The bridge also crosses over the major railroad tracks that lead to Union Station.

The dedication plaque of the bridge; it's located on the west end, opposite the gates in the first picture.

Looking across the bridge; this was on the walk back on the other side.

Looking east; that's my friend taking pictures.

Graffiti on a steel girder. There's surprisingly little on the bridge itself.

Looking at one of the many businesses that exist along the LA river; note the elaborate graffiti.

Looking toward the 7th Street bridge, which is a "double" bridge. The original bridge was built then a newer bridge was built on top; you can see the lower portion still.

Proof that there's beauty everywhere, even on a bridge.

Looking to the end of the bridge where we started; you can see the gates.

Looking across the bridge toward the Pasadena hills; a very iconic Southern California picture.

After our bridge walk we drove to Angeleno Heights to see the Victorian homes; on the way back home we stopped for a couple of beers at a dive bar...it was still decorated for Christmas.

And there you have it, the Behr's adventure!


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