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Editorial: Close the 6th Street bridge to cars (LA)
LA Times ^ | 7/27/22 | The Times Editorial Board

Posted on 07/28/2022 1:13:53 AM PDT by Libloather

Let’s put aside, for a moment, the scenes of mayhem on the new 6th Street Viaduct - the street takeovers, the cars spinning doughnuts and the thrill seekers scaling the arches - since the visually striking bridge opened this month. Those problems will probably be fixed soon with the installation of speed bumps, a median strip and fencing.

Instead, focus on the crowds of pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, Instagrammers who’ve flocked to the bridge and made it their own. Despite less than ideal conditions (the speeding cars and the flimsy “protected” bicycle lanes), the 6th Street Viaduct has become a spot for family strolls, bike rides, scenic views, even quinceañera photos and a podcast recording. This is no mere roadway connecting Boyle Heights and downtown. It’s an opportunity to rethink L.A. transportation infrastructure and public space.

The viaduct was built for cars, but it should be reclaimed for people.

What if Los Angeles closed the bridge to car traffic several nights or days each week? The Los Angeles Police Department has already blocked the bridge four times in five nights, mostly because of street racing and motorist misbehavior. The city could make these temporary closures permanent, turning the viaduct into a shared public space for people to walk, bike and just hang out on the weekends or evenings. With consultation from the surrounding communities, the bridge could become a place for community concerts, a farmers market or whatever residents want.

If there’s support, perhaps the city could eventually close the bridge to motorists altogether, creating Los Angeles’ version of New York City’s High Line park. L.A. is already developing parks around the ends of the bridge, with a sculpture garden, meadow and dog play area on the downtown side and amenities including a soccer field, sports courts and children’s play area...

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Local News; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: bridge; california; cars; crime; la; society
Visually striking -


1 posted on 07/28/2022 1:13:53 AM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather

If people have to walk that bridge, some ain’t gonna make it.


2 posted on 07/28/2022 1:19:56 AM PDT by Jonty30 (Some men want to watch the world burn. It is they that want you to buy an electric car.)
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To: Libloather

This is fun. Watching society melt. Knowing why. Knowing everyone knows why.

Smirk.


3 posted on 07/28/2022 1:22:58 AM PDT by Born to Conserve
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To: Born to Conserve

Exciting and entertaining! I’m hoping for special effects… big ones.


4 posted on 07/28/2022 1:31:16 AM PDT by Born in 1950 (Anti left, nothing else.)
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To: Libloather

Yeah, close it to cars. Within a year, it will be a nice, long, high platform for tents. I’m sure bums are already staking claims to their new home lots on it.


5 posted on 07/28/2022 1:46:06 AM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: Born in 1950

I want 80s spandex and rollerblades and leather vests.

Even better, make it a car wash. So cars can use it but have to pay for a car wash.

In reality bums and junkies will piss on it and throw crap it.

The 80s were cool. The 20s suck.


6 posted on 07/28/2022 1:47:08 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (This is the dystopian future we've been waiting for!)
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To: Libloather

Take a bridge built for getting from one place to another with tax dollars and make it into something else for what? Diversity? Equality? Culture?

There’s no limit to the wasteful creativity of the left!


7 posted on 07/28/2022 2:34:02 AM PDT by Blue Collar Christian (I'm a nationalist. I'm white. How does that make me racist?)
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To: Libloather

L. A. stands for Los A**holes. A 2,000 dollar ticket for street racing, climbing the struts, graffiti, drifting, vandalism might help. 55 mph speed limit with center median
seperation would definitely clean up the campers. 24/7 police presence and towing service and enforcement of the laws helps.
The Angels is run by little scared people. Want their job and pension,and give in to the mobs. The rulers think that their utopian laws work. What a bunch of corrupt,delusional abject failures. Credit, where credit is due. Their trash pick up is OK. But the streets are filthy.
L.A. times is an insufferable huge pus filled pimple on the butt.


8 posted on 07/28/2022 3:27:33 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and diamonds, and harder to find.)
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To: Libloather

The bridge is a very good reagent for bringing out the best in LA’s population.


9 posted on 07/28/2022 3:50:33 AM PDT by No Party Affiliation
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To: Libloather

Who cares?


10 posted on 07/28/2022 4:19:54 AM PDT by moovova
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To: Getready

The left does not believe in personal responsibility.


11 posted on 07/28/2022 5:24:59 AM PDT by Freee-dame (Y)
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To: Getready
A 2,000 dollar ticket for street racing, climbing the struts, graffiti, drifting, vandalism might help. 55 mph speed limit with center median seperation would definitely clean up the campers.

It's a street, not a freeway. The speed limit is 35 mph.

Every street near my home has donut skid marks every few feet. My city hired private security to patrol at night due to the LACSD saying they have a lack of deputies.

Lots of stores are installing floodlights to keep the homeless from setting up camp in the parking lot. It' surreal.

12 posted on 07/28/2022 5:33:50 AM PDT by CW_Conservative
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To: Jonty30
Well I've been on the High Line in Manhattan (referenced in this article) many times and I think they did a very nice job with it. It's a peaceful walk with no worry of dodging taxicabs and bike messengers. I think there should be more pedestrian friendly areas in big cities.


13 posted on 07/28/2022 5:43:07 AM PDT by SamAdams76 (3,614,258 users on Truth Social)
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To: Born to Conserve

They know; and, we know they know. They know we know they know. But, do they know we know they know we know?


14 posted on 07/28/2022 5:51:10 AM PDT by GingisK
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To: Libloather

LA Slimes wants to close the bridge to cars.

So basically a $600 million concrete park. F’ing brilliant. No wonder California is doomed.


15 posted on 07/28/2022 6:42:38 AM PDT by Freedom_Is_Not_Free (America -- July 4, 1776 to November 3, 2020 -- R.I.P.)
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To: Libloather

It already looks like a war zone and it’s less than 1 month old?


16 posted on 07/28/2022 8:29:16 AM PDT by DownInFlames (P)
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To: Libloather

Police Department has already blocked the bridge four times in five nights, mostly because of street racing and motorist misbehavior.

Who say California young and stupid are a problem.
They may age but they never grow up it’s how California got to be what it is.
The last nail in the California coffin was in the 1960’s.
Was nice never more


17 posted on 07/28/2022 8:30:54 AM PDT by Vaduz ( )
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To: Libloather

Some moron was photograph getting a haircut on the median after the bridge was opened. Lots of stupid people in greater L.A.


18 posted on 07/28/2022 9:06:46 AM PDT by markman46 (engage brain before using keyboard!!!you)
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To: HYPOCRACY

“rollerblades and leather vests”

That’s funny imagery in an apocalyptical setting! Lol!

I’m a little snobby against the eighties. Just my bias, no doubt. But I can’t deny that “Warriors, come out to play-yay…” was/is a super special cultural touchstone and ‘79 was close enough.


19 posted on 07/28/2022 10:11:19 AM PDT by Born in 1950 (Anti left, nothing else.)
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To: Libloather

They should put up Darwin Awards plaques for every idiot that jumps off the bridge on to the street level concrete.


20 posted on 07/28/2022 10:35:22 PM PDT by George J. Jetso
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