La Kretz Bridge
La Kretz Bridge, also known as the North Atwater Bridge or La Kretz Crossing, is a cable-stayed steel pedestrian bridge that crosses the Los Angeles River, linking Griffith Park with Atwater Village, Los Angeles, immediately south of North Atwater Park.[1] La Kretz Bridge has a length of 325 feet (99 m) and span of 35 feet (11 m).[1] The bridge is noted for a white spire that rises 126 feet (38 m) and uses 300,000 pounds (140,000 kg) of steel.[2] It was completed in February 2020,[3][4] and is the 2nd bridge crossing the Los Angeles River to be completed in the 21st century.
La Kretz Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34.130710°N 118.273706°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Los Angeles River |
| Locale | Atwater Village |
| Other name(s) | North Atwater Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 300 ft (91 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 2020 |
| Location | |
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History
La Kretz Bridge was initially envisioned as a privately funded bridge, driven by a desire in 1998 by John Ferraro to build an equestrian bridge north of Los Feliz Boulevard.[5] Morton La Kretz, a local philanthropist, donated $4.75 million toward the bridge's research, design and construction expenses.[1]
In 2017, the Los Angeles City Council approved the construction of the bridge.[5] The bridge was constructed at a cost of $16.1 million, with about 75% of the total costs borne by taxpayer funds, supplemented with fundraising efforts led by River LA.[1] The city's budgetary estimates in 2012 had projected that the bridge would cost $4.67 million.[1]
References
- Zahniser, David (2017-05-26). "How a supposedly free bridge over the L.A. River will cost taxpayers millions". Los Angeles Times.
- Robinette, Carl (2019-10-03). "New Bridge Changes Face Of Atwater". Los Feliz Ledger.
- "La Kretz Bridge to Open". Los Feliz Improvement Association. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
- "First Of Five New Bridges Opens Over L.A. River". Los Angeles Independent. 2020-01-30.
- "La Kretz Bridge". River LA. Retrieved 2020-07-14.