In 2000 The Los Angeles River Bridges Historical Project completed a set of drawings to archive backstory on L.A.'s Bureau of Engineering seismic retrofitting of fifteen bridges, including the twelve that cross the Los Angeles River. The Bureau of Engineering has that overview posted online with the drawings, elevations and some bridge factoids, helpful if you want to pick a bridge to do a photo essay on your own personal tour. Some of the bridges you can find illustratedare after the jump:
1stSt. Viaduct Construction (192) with an overview of it's renovation keeping the character of the bridge during it's retrofitting.
Sunset Blvd. Bridge Over 'Silverlake' (1934) "A study in monumental brick construction"
Franklin Ave. Bridge (1926) ". . . with it's Gothic design motifs and turreted towers, is commonly called the Shakespeare Bridge."
Glendale-Hyperion Viaduct (1927) Dubbed the "Victory Memorial Bridge" in honor of WW1 Vets.
Fletcher Dr. Bridge (1927) The county paid for half the bridge, the city footed the bill for the other side.
Cesar Chavez Ave. Viaduct (1926) Look for the city seal as a decorative bridge element. And you have to like the sea shells on the top of the columns.
4th St. Viaduct (1931) The columns on the north side will be recreated after the bridge is widened for the Metro Gold Line Extension.
6th St. Viaduct (1932) Almost a mile long, and slated to be torn down and rebuilt.
7th St. Viaduct (1910, 1927) The 1927 bridge was built on top of the 1910 bridge that was designed for just trolleys.
Olympic Blvd. Viaduct (1925) Renamed Olympic Bridge in 1932
Washington Blvd. Bridge, (1930) You may have seen the images of men working in the panels. It's a "depiction of the art of bridge building."