The famed Sixth Street Viaduct that connects Boyle Heights and the Arts District is still very much a goner, due to be replaced by a slick and swoopy new version of itself, but the demolition process—scheduled to start this month—has been pushed back, leaving a bit more time to enjoy the historic structure. Eastsider LA reports that the Department of Public Works "is finalizing demolition plans and expects demolition to start in the next couple months," a spokeswoman for the agency told them in an email.
The previous plan had been to close the viaduct on January 3, with demolition projected to start on January 8. Now that the tearing-down has been delayed, the bridge will get a new closing date and is set to remain open until then. The replacement Sixth Street Viaduct, designed by HNTB and local starchitect Michael Maltzan, is expected to be complete in 2019. There's already been a formal bon voyage party for the bridge, which featured music and food and was capped by fireworks. The current bridge is being torn down because its concrete is deteriorating and that makes it potentially dangerous in the event of an earthquake.
· Sixth Street Bridge gets temporary reprieve from demolition [ELA]
· Saying Farewell to the LA River's 1932 Sixth Street Bridge [Curbed LA]
· See the Swoopy New Sixth Street Bridge in Giant Model Form [Curbed LA]