Long-awaited upgrades move ahead for the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge

A long-awaited improvement project for the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge is moving forward, bringing major upgrades to the nearly century-old span that connects Los Feliz, Silver Lake and Atwater Village.

The $208 million plan aims to improve safety and access along the aging bridge with seismic reinforcements, wider sidewalks and new bike lanes, while keeping the heavily used bridge open during the multi-year construction.

Officials said the improvements are designed to address years of safety concerns tied to the bridge’s aging structure and constraints for pedestrians and cyclists navigating the corridor over the Los Angeles River and Interstate 5.

“This is about ending decades of delays and finally making Los Angeles safer for people regardless of how they get around,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez said at a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday marking the start of the project.

Built in 1929 and designated a Historic-Cultural Monument, the Glendale-Hyperion Bridge has long served as a key connection between nearby communities on either side of the Los Angeles River. But advocates have spent more than 20 years pushing for upgrades, arguing the bridge has increasingly functioned as a barrier rather than a safe, accessible route.

Plans for the project includes upgrades to strengthen the bridge against earthquakes, widening the bridge to meet ADA accessibility standards, improving pedestrian crossings and restoring historic elements. The project will also connect to the Los Angeles River walking and biking path and add changes to the northbound Interstate 5 off-ramp to improve traffic flow.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman said the improvements will restore the bridge’s role as a connector between families.

“The work beginning today ensures that this historic bridge will improve the connection between Los Feliz and Atwater Village and protect that link for another century and beyond,” she said.

The project, led by the city’s Bureau of Engineering, is expected to take five to six years to complete. Funding is primarily provided through the California Department of Transportation, including federal highway funds.

The project came close to losing its funding during last year’s severe budget cuts, according to officials. Its progress is a welcome step forward for residents who have long called for improvements.

For community members like Eric Brightwell, the change could shape how the bridge is experienced day to day.

“The bridge is between neighborhoods but doesn’t feel like it belongs to any. What should be a connection currently feels more like a barrier,” Brightwell said. “It’s my hope that the redesigned bridge will make crossing it a lot more pleasant and safe. I look forward to being able to bike to Nico’s, Indochine Vien, and beyond.”