NEWSLETTER North Atwater Bridge Gains Recognition First Steel Cable-Stayed Bridge Constructed in L.A
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No. 21-12 June 2, 2021 NEWSLETTER North Atwater Bridge Gains Recognition First Steel Cable-Stayed Bridge Constructed in L.A. Last week the American Society of Civil Engi- neers Metropolitan Los Angeles Branch (ASCE MLAB) announced that the North Atwater Bridge had won the Bridges Award. The North Atwater Bridge over the Los Angeles River connects non-motorized traffic from Atwater Village on the River’s eastern bank to the Los Angeles River Bike Path on the west bank and access to the trails and green spaces of Grif- fith Park. This bridge is part of the City’s Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan and opened to the public in May 2020. With this bridge, equestrians, pedestrians, and bicyclists can now make year-round crossings over the Los Angeles River. The distinguishing feature of the bridge and what makes it instantly recognizable is a white structural steel mast that rises 125 feet high and dominates the skyline. The North Atwater Bridge is the first steel cable-stayed bridge constructed in the City of Los Angeles. It spans 325 feet and features steel suspension cables. The bridge is supported by two rein- forced concrete abutments at both ends of the bridge and an elliptical center pier, with the cables supporting the bridge deck. The bridge North Atwater Bridge - steel suspension cables radiate from the structural steel mast. deck is divided into two separate 12-foot railings. The equestrian side deck is composed mass dampers and four shock transmission wide pathways. The pedestrian/bicycle path of rubberized pavers with a wood picket rail- units at the abutments to transmit short-term uses a wooden deck and stainless-steel mesh ing system. The bridge includes three tuned impact forces from seismic forces between connecting structures while permitting long- term movements between the bridge deck and the abutments. The site, bounded by Interstate 5 and the 4,310 acre Griffith Park on the west and res- idential neighborhoods on the east, required approval from 5 governmental jurisdictions. This process, along with the physical complex- ity of the site, with overhead high voltage pow- er lines and specific floodway requirements requiring a minimum number of piers in the floodway, created a challenging context. Con- structing the bridge in the River had to be done within the two dry seasons (April- October). In the first dry season, the contractor completed construction of the two abutments and center pier. During the second dry season, the entire superstructure of the bridge was erected. BOE collaborated extensively with the equestrian community prior to and during construction with an emphasis on meeting the equestrian communities needs in access- ing Griffith Park. Modifications were made from recommendations resulting from many continued on page 2 N. Atwater Bridge - continued from page 1 discussions with the LA Police Department Mounted Unit, the Department of Recreation & Parks Mounted Unit, the Department of Animal Services, outside equestrian experts, and members of the Los Angeles Equestrian Advisory Committee. It had long been desired to have a bridge that could link the equestrian stables in Atwa- ter Village to 56 miles of horse trails in Griffith Park and improve the area safety-wise for equestrians who had to cross the riverbed in order to access an existing equestrian tunnel under the freeway between Griffith Park and the river’s western bank. As far back as 1998, then-Councilman John Ferraro introduced a motion to build such a span but funding was always an issue. The bridge was included in the recommendations of the City’s Los Ange- les River Revitalization Plan. The project was undertaken by River LA (formerly known as the LA River Revitalization Corporation), who managed the initial fundraising, design, cost estimations, specifications, permits/ease- ments, and agreements. The initial concept was for the bridge to be privately funded and $3.88 million for construction. The project and additional funding from Council District then gifted to the City. The vision was for was designed by Steve Chucovich while at 4, County Supervisor District 3, along with the bridge to be a symbol of the River revi- Buro Happold and TY LIN. the donation from La Kretz. talization and Morton La Kretz was heavily At the request of the Mayor’s office and At the time of the project groundbreaking involved as a major donor. He wanted an Caltrans, the Bureau of Engineering was tasked in 2018, Mayor Eric Garcetti said, “The L.A. iconic structure and preferred a cable stayed with the project management of the bridge River is an extraordinary treasure with limitless solution. He funded the design and provided including contract bid and award, construc- potential for the communities that surround it. tion management and This bridge will give Angelenos better access post-contruction of the to green space, creating a destination for improvements. When people across Los Angeles to disconnect from the project went out to city life and enjoy nature.” bid there was a signif- “The North Atwater Bridge not only helps icant funding shortfall, connect the surrounding communities to and BOE worked with open spaces along the L.A. River, but it cre- the Los Angeles Depart- ates another way for Angelenos to enjoy and ment of Transportation experience the River,” City Engineer Gary and other agencies to Lee Moore said at the groundbreaking. “The identify additional fund- Bureau of Engineering is pleased to deliver ing sources. BOE was another key project as part of the City’s plan asked to analyze if it for L.A. River revitalization.” would be a less cost- The designer firms were Buro Happold ly with a different de- and TY LIN. The contractor was Reyes Con- sign, but when it was struction, Inc. determined that start- Congratulations go to head of the Bridge ing over would result in Improvement Division Shirley Lau; Project even higher costs, the Manager Dung Tran (BID); Project Engineer City Council approved Dahlia Hanna (BID); Construction Engineer a $16.1 million con- Anulfo Nuno (BID); Bureau of Contract struction funding plan Administration Construction Inspector Max- which included $3.6 well Jardine; Bureau of Street Lighting Street million from the State Lighting Engineer Zouhair Shehab; LADOT Active Transportation Bikeways Group Edward Giron and Brian Program, $6.9 million Phan; and everyone else who contributed to front funding from the making this project a success. Public Works Trust Fund The virtual ASCE MLAB Awards ceremony to be repaid from Local will be held on June 17, 2021. Additional BOE Transportation Funds projects being recognized will be Robertson (LTF) and Transportation Recreation Center - Parks & Recreation Award, Development Act (TDA), Potrero Canyon Park Grading - Geotechnical The bridge is divided in half for cyclists and pedestrians on one side $1 million from MICLA, Engineering Award, Bridge Home Sunset and equestrians on the other. Avenue - Community Improvement Award. Page 2 Engineering Newsletter - 6/2/21 Mayor Nominates Matt Szabo as CAO Mayor’s press release: “It has been a privilege resilient and strong, and he’s overseen the LOS ANGELES (May 5, 2021) - Mayor Eric to serve Mayor Garcetti at production of thousands of units of City-de- Garcetti today nominated Matt Szabo as L.A.’s a time when Los Angeles veloped homeless housing, far more than next City Administrative Officer. Current CAO has made historic progress it’s ever produced before. And Llewellyn’s Rich Llewellyn will retire this summer after 20 and faced down enormous leadership through this year’s budget crisis years of invaluable service to the City. challenges,” said Szabo. was critical to protecting jobs and services Szabo has spent over two decades serv- “I’m honored to have this during the pandemic. ing the City of Los Angeles in several roles, new opportunity to help “Rich is a model public servant and a dear including as Deputy Chief of Staff to both the Mayor and Council friend. My term as mayor has been better off, Mayor Garcetti and Mayor Antonio Villarai- lead our great city out of and our entire city is better off, because of the gosa. He has successfully negotiated dozens the pandemic and into a man and the leader he is,” said Mayor Garcet- of City labor agreements on Mayor Garcetti’s more just, equitable, and financially secure ti. “Rich’s time working for the City may be behalf and served as his top budget adviser future.” drawing to a close, but I know that his legacy since 2015. If confirmed, Szabo would follow the ex- will live on, and I hope every City employee If confirmed by the City Council, Szabo ceptional example set by Rich Llewellyn, who aspires to do this work with his same degree will step into the CAO role at a critical mo- has served in the position for three years and of compassion and commitment. I wish Rich ment, as the City prepares to allocate and is set to retire this summer. During his time the best in the next chapter of his life.” spend billions in new funding to house home- as CAO, Llewellyn has helped keep the City less Angelenos at an unprecedented pace, and recover from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is an historic moment for Los Ange- Notice No. 08 Employee Performance Appraisals les, and we need a chief administrator who’s Notice No. 08 dated May 27, 2021 titled between the supervisor and the employee, not just experienced, but battle-tested - and Employee Performance Appraisals states where both provide input on the performance who has the background, focus, and skills that it’s time again for the annual Employee of the employee and engage in an interactive to help reimagine a more prosperous, resil- Performance Appraisals.