The Glendale City Council has moved to advance the Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project by formally adopting the findings of an environmental study earlier this month. The proposed bridge will link Flower Street and Fairmont Avenue to Griffith Park, serving as the second phase of the existing Glendale Riverwalk.
Project scope and design
The project is designed to integrate landscaping into the infrastructure, a feature reflected in the “garden river” moniker. According to project plans, the bridge will incorporate raised beds, seating areas, shade structures, and designated viewing spaces. The span will be supported by two piers situated within the river channel. Design firm Olin is responsible for the landscaping elements, as outlined in the project’s initial study.
Context of the Riverwalk expansion
This new connection is intended to extend the current Glendale Riverwalk, which currently covers a one-mile stretch along the north side of the river. The existing trail runs between the intersection of Garden Street and Paula Avenue and the Verdugo Wash. The Garden River Bridge continues a regional trend of increasing pedestrian access to the river; similar projects have recently been completed in Atwater Village, Glassell Park, and near the Glendale-Hyperion bridge complex.
What happens next
With the environmental clearances now in place, the project team may move forward with final plans, specifications, and cost estimates to prepare for construction. According to the study, the physical construction of the bridge is expected to take approximately two-and-a-half years to complete.
