It's been a long goodbye for LA's famed Sixth Street Viaduct. After over 80 years in service, Angelenos bid the bridge farewell late last year with a lavish going-away party complete with fireworks. After a temporary stay of execution earlier this year that briefly delayed the bridge's demolition, it looks as though its demise finally has a start date. According to the Daily News, workers will begin to tear down the aging bridge on January 27, to make way for a brand new $445-million bridge with bikeways and 60-foot arches open to pedestrians looking to see some stunning views of the city. But getting to the new bridge in late 2019 is not going to be without some major traffic headaches. The demolition will bring with it several road closures, including a weekend-long closure of the 101 Freeway near Boyle Heights starting Friday, February 5.
Starting Wednesday, January 27, Sixth Street will be closed to traffic between Mateo Street and Boyle Avenue for the demolition. The freeway shutdown comes later. From Friday, February 5 at 10 p.m. until Sunday, February 7 at 2 p.m., the 101 Freeway will be closed to traffic for two and a half miles between the 10/101 juncture east of Downtown to the 5/10/101 interchange. Traffic headed west on the 60 Freeway will not be able to get on the 101 without detouring.
The city's Department of Engineering has announced the following 101 Freeway on-ramps will be closed:
—Northbound Sixth Street/ Whittier Blvd on-ramp
—Northbound Euclid Street on-ramp
—Northbound Soto Street to 101 Freeway
—Southbound Commercial Street on-ramp
—Southbound Mission Street on-ramp
—Southbound Fourth Street on-ramp
To help people get around the 40-hour shutdown, the Department of Engineering has also announced the following detours:
When traveling N/B 5 from the Orange County area approaching the 5/10/101 Interchange, drivers will see:
—Exit to northbound 101 Freeway: closed
—Exit to westbound 10 Freeway: open
—Exit to northbound 5 Freeway: open
Officials are suggesting as a primary detour for these drivers the northbound 710 to the westbound 10, or, as a secondary detour, the westbound 10 to northbound 110.
When traveling westbound 60 from the Pomona area approaching 5/10/101 Interchange:
—Exit to northbound 101: closed
—Exit to westbound 10: open
—Exit to northbound 5: open
Primary detour: northbound 710 to the westbound 10
Secondary detour: westbound 10 to northbound 110
When traveling southbound 101 from the San Fernando Valley area approaching the 10/101 split:
—Exit to southbound 101 closed
—Eastbound 10 open
Primary Detour: southbound 110 to eastbound 10
Secondary Detour: eastbound 10 to southbound 710
· Why the 101 Freeway will close for nearly 2 days in February [Daily News]
· Road Closure Press Release [LA Dept of Engineering]
· The Sixth Street Bridge's Looming Demolition Has Been Delayed [Curbed LA]
· Saying Farewell to the LA River's 1932 Sixth Street Bridge [Curbed LA]
· New Sixth Street Viaduct Will Have Climbable 60-Foot Arches [Curbed LA]