The Glendale Boulevard – Hyperion Avenue Viaduct Complex, known locally as the Glendale Hyperion Bridge, was completed in 1929. The structure crosses from Atwater Village to Silver Lake, crossing over the 5 Freeway, the Los Angeles River and Riverside Drive. The bridge is located in Council District 13, which is represented by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez and in Council District 4, represented by Councilmember Nithya Raman.
Built in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Glendale Hyperion Bridge complex has been designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The Glendale Boulevard – Hyperion Avenue Viaduct Complex includes five bridges along the Glendale-Hyperion Corridor.
OVERVIEW OF PROJECT
The $208 million Project, led by the Bureau of Engineering, will upgrade the structure to better withstand an earthquake event, restore the bridge’s historical appearance, and improve circulation and safety for people driving, biking, walking, and rolling.
PROJECT FUNDING
Funding for this project is primarily from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which is providing $250 million in Federal Highway Administration funds.
SCOPE OF WORK
The project that will take 5-6 years to complete.
The key elements of the project include:
- Seismic retrofit to make the bridge safer and better withstand earthquakes
- Widening the bridge to allow for access for people walking and biking and ensuring ADA accessibility
- Connections to the LA RiverWay walking and biking path
- Restoration and preservation of historic elements
- Stormwater capture
- Realignment of I-5 northbound off-ramp to allow for both east and west travel along Glendale Boulevard
PROJECT DETAILS
Structure Upgrade of 5 Bridges along Glendale-Hyperion Corridor
- Hyperion Ave Bridges over Riverside Dr, I-5, and LA River: Seismic Retrofit
- Glendale Blvd Northbound and Southbound Bridges: Seismic Retrofit and Widening
Historic Preservation and Restoration
- Restoration of the historic balustrade railing, preserve pylons, towers, and arches, and refurbish the historic light poles of all of the five bridges plus Waverly Dr Bridge over Hyperion Ave
Traffic Safety and Efficiency Improvement
- Re-align I-5 Freeway northbound off-ramp, a much-needed traffic safety and efficiency improvement
- Add Bike lanes to both sides of Hyperion Ave
- Widen shoulders and add signalized pedestrian crosswalk on Glendale Blvd Bridges
River Revitalization: Access and Water Quality Improvement
- Red Car Pedestrian Bridge to provide connection over LA River (Completed in 2021)
- LA River bikeway access ramp on Glendale Blvd northbound
- Infiltration retention and swale to protect water quality in LA River
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The Bureau of Engineering project team, in partnership with Council Districts 4 and 13, will provide regular updates to the community throughout the project.
Please attend our upcoming Project Information Meeting on Wednesday February 11, 2026. The virtual meeting will provide a project update, project scope, timeline and allow community members to ask questions.
Glendale Hyperion Bridge Improvement Project Information Meeting
Wednesday February 11, 2026 - Virtual Meeting - 6:00 - 7:00 pm
To join the meeting, click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81432959997
PROJECT TIMELINE
November 2025 - Stacy and Witbeck, Inc. selected as contractor for project
February 2026 - Construction starts
Construction duration - 5-6 years
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
- There will be various traffic control phases throughout the project.
- AT NO TIME WILL THE BRIDGE BE FULLY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
- Additional details will be provided ahead of traffic control measures.
- In preparation for this project, the City built the adjacent Red Car Pedestrian Bridge to provide pedestrian and bike access over the LA River.
WORKING IN THE LA RIVER
For safety reasons, construction primarily takes place during the dry season in the river, which runs from April 15th to October 15th
