The LA River's Sixth Street Viaduct has been the backdrop of films, TV shows and car commercials for decades, but now the 83-year-old bridge can barely support itself—the cracked concrete structure has a 70 percent chance of collapsing in a major earthquake. The bridge is to be replaced by a shiny new one, and though demolition doesn't begin until January, Councilmember José Huizar is hosting a farewell concert and festival in its honor this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, War, Aloe Blacc and Graciela Beltran will headline the 6th Street Bridge Farewell Festival. The free fest kicks off at 2pm and runs until 10pm with kids activities, food trucks and live mural painting by local artists. To cap off the night, there'll be a fireworks finale viewable from the bridge.
Though the Streamline Moderne structure will be sorely missed, local architect Michael Maltzan will incorporate its sweeping arched profile into its replacement. The $420 million makeover is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018, with a public park set to open underneath the following year.
The bridge is tentatively scheduled to close next year on January 3, with demolition set to start on January 8.