Glendale-Hyperion Complex of Bridges Phase 2

The Glendale-Hyperion Complex of Bridges Phase 2 Project is a multi-bridge improvement effort. Delivered under a Bid-Build contract, the project will strengthen and modernize the bridge while preserving its historic character.  

Need 

The project area serves as a critical connection between Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and Los Feliz, carrying thousands of residents across the Los Angeles River and Interstate 5 daily.  

To meet current seismic standards and ensure the structures can withstand future earthquake events, the bridges require strengthening. The corridor also presents an opportunity to close long-standing gaps in pedestrian and bicycle access, bringing the bridges into alignment with the active transportation needs of the surrounding community. 

Work 

The project addresses every dimension of the corridor: seismic safety, historic preservation, pedestrian access, multimodal connectivity, and traffic operations. The project will: 

• Deliver a comprehensive seismic retrofit across all structures, bringing them up to current safety standards and improving their resilience during a major earthquake.  
• Build an ADA-compliant pedestrian shoulder on the west side of Hyperion Avenue, add a signalized crossing for pedestrians, and install bike lanes on both sides of the avenue to improve safety and accessibility.  
• Widen the Glendale Boulevard bridges to accommodate pedestrian shoulders and improve mobility. The project will also realign the I-5 northbound off-ramp, eliminating the current need for drivers to cross multiple lanes to make a U-turn and providing direct eastbound and westbound access along Glendale Boulevard.  
• Create direct connections to the River Way and install stormwater capture infrastructure that supports long-term environmental sustainability.  
• Preserve the bridge's defining historic character by retaining the iconic pylons that mark the corridor and the arches spanning I-5.  
• Remove only the amount of concrete that is structurally necessary to complete the seismic improvements.  
• Store removed historic concrete at a City of Los Angeles facility for long-term preservation and potential future use.