Recent history of Sixth Street Bridge, from its stunning reopen to its darkened closure
The 6th Street Viaduct, often called 6th Street Bridge, opened in July 2022 replacing the old bridge built in 1932. It was immediately a famous site due to its beauty, and in 2023 the bridge won a national award for engineering achievement largely due to its 10 pairs of 30-and 60-foot concrete arches that could illuminate the bridge with multiple colors.
But the $588 million viaduct drew dangerous illegal activity, including street takeovers, drag racing, vandalism, graffiti, and people climbing its arches. Then in June 2024, thieves stripped out seven miles of copper wiring that powered the bridges LED lighting system, leaving the bridge dark.
Here is a recent history of the 6th Street Bridge:
LA City hires a firm to relight the darkened Sixth Street Bridge, February 18, 2026: The city’s Bureau of Engineering has selected global engineering firm Tetra Tech to fortify and relight the Sixth Street Viaduct following repeated copper wire thefts that left sections of the bridge dark, officials announced on Wednesday.
Los Angeles City Council gives final approval to Metal and Wire Theft Reward program, October 21, 2025: The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday gave its final approval to a proposed ordinance that would create a Metal and Theft Reward program, which city officials hope will curb crimes against public infrastructure such as copper wire theft
Los Angeles City Council tentatively approves ‘metal and wire theft reward’ program, October 14, 2025: Rewards of $1K or $5K would be offered for information about copper wire theft, and theft of city plaques and light standards
LA City Council backs anti-wire theft bill; meanwhile, city works to relight 6th Street Viaduct, May 27, 2025: The City Council voted to support a California bill aimed at cracking down on copper wire theft, as neighborhoods — including the darkened Sixth Street Viaduct — continue to face costly infrastructure damage
‘Ribbon of Light’ on LA’s 6th Street bridge dimmed by electrical copper wire thieves, December 22, 2023: Thieves have stolen the valuable electrical copper wiring from parts of the “Ribbon of Light,” apparently to sell it as forgettable scrap, plummeting parts of the bridge into darkness.
City Hall takes a step to address the overtaking of 6th Street Bridge, July 28, 2022: With much of Southern California thrilled by the beauty and grace of the new Sixth Street Bridge linking the Los Angeles Arts District to Boyle Heights, the city appears to have little ability to stop illegal racing, dangerous and illegal bridge-climbing, and daredevil antics meant for TikTok and YouTube.
Beset by speeding, spinning showoffs, LA’s new 6th Street bridge will get speed bumps, July 26, 2022: A center median and fencing to discourage people from scaling the archways could also be installed soon on a temporary basis.
Newly opened Sixth Street bridge becomes haven for illegal takeovers, July 19, 2022: Traffic was flowing again over the new Sixth Street bridge in Los Angeles between the Arts District and Boyle Heights after another street takeover that left the pavement scarred with skid marks, led to a crash involving at least three vehicles and forced police to close the span.
L.A.’s Sixth Street Viaduct opens to a crowd of thousands, connecting Downtown and Boyle Heights, July 9, 2022: The grand opening of the $558 million project drew close to 15,000 by evening, as the city gears up for vehicle traffic on the rebuilt connector beginning Sunday night.
Sixth Street Bridge connecting Boyle Heights and Arts District over L.A. River is complete ‘Ribbon of Light’ makes its debut July 9 after years of work, July 8, 2022: A graceful new four-lane bridge years in the making finally opens in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 9, stretching across the 3,060-foot breadth of the Los Angeles River, 101 Freeway, railroads tracks and MetroLink tracks, to connect the L.A. neighborhoods of Boyle Heights and the Arts District.