A photographic record by Kevin Break

Sixth
Street

One Los Angeles crossing, two eras: the beloved 1932 viaduct, its final years and demolition, and the luminous bridge that rose in its place.

Sixth Street Bridge illuminated in red, photographed by Kevin Break
The new Sixth Street Bridge · Los Angeles

1932 — present

Watching an icon disappear—and another take its place.

Kevin Break photographed the old Sixth Street Viaduct for years: its famous paired arches before dawn, under storm clouds, in fog and reflected light. When demolition began in 2016, he returned to document the loss in detail.

The story continues with the new bridge’s ribbon of concrete arches and changing LED colors—a radically different civic landmark carrying the same street over the Los Angeles River.

34Selected images
1932Original bridge
2022New bridge

The crossing through time

A Los Angeles landmark in three acts.

I

The landmark

The 1932 viaduct’s concrete arches became a defining image of downtown and the industrial river corridor.

II

The demolition

Alkali–silica reaction made preservation impossible. Kevin recorded the bridge’s dismantling and exposed structure.

III

The new span

The replacement bridge opened in 2022, its repeated arches and programmable light reshaping the skyline.

“A bridge is never only concrete. It holds the light, the weather and the memory of everyone who crossed it.”
Kevin Break · Los Angeles photographer

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