Skip to main content

FAQ

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS PROJECT?

  • We are moving ahead with this project to improve bridge and traffic safety, improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities and improve the “Liveable City” around these bridges.
  • The project consists of historic bridges including Hyperion Avenue, Glendale Boulevard and Waverly Drive.  The bridges were designed in the late 1920s and built in the early 1930s.  Unfortunately, these bridges do not meet seismic codes and may collapse during an earthquake.  These bridges are City Historic Monuments and listed on the State Historic Register.
  • Retrofitting these bridges while preserving and restoring their historic integrity is the purpose of the project.  In addition, we hope to improve traffic safety, traffic operations, pedestrian safety and accessibility, neighborhood connectivity and enhancement of  the river environment.
  • This project is a large and complex project that utilizes Federal Highway Funding.  Therefore there is a lot of work to comply with Federal and State environmental reports.  The historic restoration also takes time to coordinate.  Because we have 3 bridges over the LA River, our construction window is limited to 6 months per year.  But we are moving forward with this important project.

WHAT ARE THE BRIDGE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS?

  • The Hyperion Avenue bridges will be retrofit at pilasters and on the open arches to prevent shifting and collapse during an earthquake.  The Glendale bridges will be widened which will provide additional strength to prevent displacement during an earthquake.

WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS?

  • Currently, the I-5 northbound off-ramp has a higher than average rate of accidents.  The project will realign the I-5 Northbound Off-Ramp to provide better visibility, allow movements in both directions on Glendale Blvd and will signalize the I-5 Off-Ramp at Glendale Boulevard for improved pedestrian/bicycle crossings.  The ramp metering at the NB On-Ramp will be upgraded
  • The Glendale boulevard bridges over the LA River will be widened to provide standard shoulders and wider sidewalks.
  • Hyperion Avenue currently has narrow sidewalks on both sides of the street.  This project will eliminate the sidewalk on the eastbound side and widen the sidewalk on the westbound side.  Also, the project will provide drainage improvements to treat storm water prior to River discharge.
  • Due to vehicle speeds on Hyperion Avenue, a median barrier will be constructed to prevent head-on collisions.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS?

  • Hyperion Avenue currently has narrow sidewalks on both sides of the street.  This project will eliminate the sidewalk on the eastbound side and widen the sidewalk on the westbound side.
  • The Glendale Boulevard bridges will be widened to provide wider sidewalks over the bridges.
  • A new signalized crosswalk will be installed on the Atwater Village side of the River to better connect the Glendale and Hyperion sidewalks
  • A new signalized intersection will be installed at the realigned Off-Ramp.  This will provide safer crosswalks at the Off-Ramp terminus as well as a new crossing of Glendale Boulevard.
  • A new signalized intersection will be installed at the I-5 Northbound On-Ramp.  This will provide a safer crosswalk at the On-Ramp terminus.
  • New lighting fixture will be added at the Hyperion Avenue to Glendale Boulevard stairway to improve safety.

WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED BIKEWAY IMPROVEMENTS?

  • There will be a new dedicated pedestrian/bikeway bridge over the LA River on the old Red Car Rail piers.  This crossing will connect to sidewalks in Atwater Village and the LA River Bikeway on the south side of the river.
  • There will be a new connection ramp between the LA River Bikeway and northbound Glendale Boulevard.

CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE LA RIVER?

  • The City has obtained additional funding from Metro to make the bridge crossing a permanent improvement.  The crossing will connect Atwater Village to the LA River Bikeway.  The lighting on this bridge will complement the Viaduct Complex.

WHAT WILL THE PROJECT DO FOR THE LA RIVER AND WATER QUALITY?

  • The project will collect most of the storm water from the project for treatment prior to discharge into the LA River to improve the water quality and meet City and State goals.
  • Additionally, with the added pedestrian features, access to the river banks will be improved.

WHAT WILL BE THE HISTORIC RESTORATION?

  • The project team has put a lot of work to restore the historic integrity of these bridges.  At the end of the project, the look and feel will remain unchanged from when these bridges were built.  We have been helped by our Historic Preservation Architect, the City Cultural Heritage Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office.
  • Over the years, accidents have damaged the historic railing.  Today, most of the original railing is either gone or covered.  This project will replace the compromised railing with new railing matching the historic design.  New vehicles barriers will prevent damage to this railing.
  • The project will refurbish the existing lighting standards and restore the original color.  This also includes new energy saving LED Fixtures and additional lighting on the Hyperion to Glendale stairway. This will result in energy savings and improved lighting.

I’M WORRIED ABOUT CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

  • Construction will difficult and long, but the Bridges will remain partially open for traffic at all times.  Construction is estimated to be less than 3-years.
  • The City will maintain a Website for construction updates and community involvement.
  • The construction duration has been reduced by 6-months through approval of a temporary pedestrian bridge over the LA River on the former Red Car piers.
  • Construction will be staged because there is a limited time window to work within the River