North Spring Street Viaduct Widening And Rehabilitation (Archived)

In cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the City proposes to improve the North Spring Street Viaduct (Bridge Number 53C-0859) and a portion of North Spring Street between Baker Street to the southwest and Avenue 18 to the northeast, in the communities of Chinatown and Lincoln Heights. The proposed project would eliminate existing and geometrical design deficiencies and correct existing seismic vulnerability issues associated with the Viaduct. In addition, the proposed project would widen the existing 50-foot Viaduct by approximately 20 feet on each side, reconfigure the existing intersection of Baker Street and North Spring Street, extend Wilhardt Street to the northwest to create a new connection with Baker Street, and create a cul-de-sac by closing Aurora Street and its existing intersection with North Spring Street. Pursuant to the CEQA and the National Environmental Policy Act, the City and Caltrans have studied the effects that the proposed project may have on the environment and community. The results of these studies are contained in the environmental impact report/environmental assessment (EIR/EA).

The Final EIR/EA was published in May 2010. On June 2, 2010, the Board of Public Works recommended certification of the EIR and approval of the project. The Transportation Committee of the City Council then instructed the Bureau of Engineering to further address concerns regarding impacts to the historic viaduct. As a result, a design option has been developed that limit the widening to only the south side of the bridge, by 23 feet. The median would be 4 feet and sidewalks would be 5 feet.

A revised Final EIR/EA is now available at the link below.

The revised final EIR/EA was certified and the project was approved by the City Council on June 14, 2011. The council file is available at Council File 10-0959.