LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Construction officially began today on the Taylor Yard bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Los Angeles River, connecting Elysian Valley and Cypress Park.
“The idea to connect the river communities of Cypress Park and Elysian Valley has been almost three decades in the making,” said Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, who represents the area and took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the project. “The Taylor Yard Bridge is a critical piece of connectivity at the L.A. River, giving Elysian Valley residents a healthier pedestrian route to access the communities. This has been a vision worth working for all these years.”
The bridge will be about 400 feet long with an 18-foot passageway for cyclists and pedestrians. The project is expected to cost $20.6 million, funded by Metro, with completion scheduled for early 2021.
“The L.A. River is an iconic destination for people across Los Angeles, and this groundbreaking is an important milestone in our work to build a more sustainable and connected city,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
The bridge will link to the eventual Los Angeles River Bike Path project -- a continuous 51-mile path from Canoga Park to Long Beach set for completion by 2025 -- providing access to the future 42-acre Taylor Yard G2 River Park, expected to open in 2028.
The Taylor Park bridge will feature a bright orange color with a structure similar to “classic railway bridges,” according to the mayor's office.