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Just weeks after its grand opening, Los Angeles’ newest infrastructure gem has quickly become a nuisance to motorists, pedestrians, and the city at large.
Since opening last month, the Sixth Avenue Viaduct (Sixth Avenue Bridge) has been shut down several times by the Los Angeles Police Department because it has been plagued by dangerous stunts, street hijackings, and other dangerous activities.
Videos posted on social media showed cars dumping donuts in the middle of the road, crashing, and people climbing the bridge archway.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Commissioner Michelle Moore said a speed bump would be installed on the bridge to deter motorists from getting out of control. He said it became the place to come to “find your 15 minutes of fame.”
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“Since its opening, it has also become known as a place where people gather and hold exhibitions,” he said.
One Twitter user posted a tweet on Saturday explaining something similar.
“I need to take the 6th Avenue Bridge to become famous instantly,” the post read. “My window of opportunity is closed.”
Four days earlier, the LAPD had issued 57 subpoenas and seized six vehicles from the bridge, Moore said. He asked the public to assist police in reporting illegal activity.
Speed bumps will be installed as well as fencing and possible medians to prevent congestion.
The LAPD declined to speak to Fox News about Bridge’s antics. However, the department said officers from three nearby police stations were “directed to deal with illegal bridge activity.”
“Personnel assigned to the bridge will move across the 6th Avenue Viaduct and conduct aggressive traffic enforcement to ensure the safety of all visitors,” the agency said.
Over the weekend, the viaduct was closed for several days in a row. The LAPD said he closed the bridge one day in late July, citing “illegal activity and public safety”, but reopened it hours later.
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Some of the chaos unfolding on the structure has been captured on video and posted on social media.
In one video, a man is seen getting a haircut in a traffic jam. In another photo, someone is walking over an archway that is dangerously above ground.
Fox News reached out to Kevin de Leon, City Councilman representing the Boyle Heights area.
Dozens of people were walking, running or biking around the structure on a recent Wednesday evening. However, some residents aren’t surprised by the antics.
“I saw it coming. It was predictable in a way. I’m not cool with it at all,” Los Angeles resident Luis Santiago told Fox News. Space is scarce, so when something is opened, people do whatever they want with it.”
One woman, who declined to give her name, called the street takeover and closure “disgusting.”
“It’s kind of annoying that they’ve already screwed it up,” she said.
Claire Lee, 25, said it was her first time standing on the bridge, but the closure affected people she knew.
“My friend was blocked by this and couldn’t come to class,” she said.
“But it’s kind of nice to see where people are,” she added, referring to the city’s COVID-19 mandates and restrictions that have been in place for nearly two years.
The $588 million bridge connects the city’s Boyle Heights neighborhood with the downtown arts district. Construction took place after the original bridge was demolished in his 2016. You can see the arch illuminated by some LEDs.
It quickly became a destination for tourists and tourists. But it’s also become a haven for unruly action and partying for some locals.
On Saturday, Chief Moore called the chaos unfolding on the road “unacceptable.”
Completed in 1932, the structure is an important Los Angeles landmark and has been seen in countless commercials and movies, including Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Purge.
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Apart from the bridge, the city plans to add a rain garden, seating, playground and other amenities on the downtown side of the bridge. The Boyle Heights side will have a field, skate park, children’s playground and dog area.