Fourth Street Viaduct, Spanning Los Angeles River, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

Significance: Fourth Street Viaduct was one of several reinforced concrete bridges providing an elegant, sturdy crossing over the Los Angeles River and railroad tracks built by the City of Los Angeles beginning the late 1920s. Providing access between Boyle Heights and the downtown core, Fourth Street Viaduct replaced two viaducts, one for automotive traffic and one for the Los Angeles Railway. By eliminating the grade crossings at Mission Road and Santa Fe Avenue, the bridge allowed for easier communication between the area bifurcated by the river and train traffic along the Union Pacific and Atkinson Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The construction of the 254-foot river span was aided by the use of temporary reinforced concrete hinges during its construction. The design of the bridge incorporated ornamental elements such as precast railings and cast aluminum lanterns.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: N854
Survey number: HAER CA-280
Building/structure dates: 1931 Initial Construction