Hundreds of people and cars gathered Tuesday night on the historic Sixth Street Bridge to say goodbye to the iconic structure on the eve of its closure, but they were soon dispersed by police in riot gear.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the crowd “grew rowdy” shortly after 8 p.m and at least 20 officers were called in. Aerial video on local newscasts showed several officers moving in a line down the 84-year-old bridge and forcing bystanders and vehicles to clear the roadway.
Construction crews eventually closed off the bridge’s entrances in downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights.
There were no reports of violence and according to The Times only one person was arrested for failing to obey orders.
One young man told Fox 11 News he was part of a large group of photographers who were recording the bridge’s last night, and that some of them set off smoke grenades and spinned fire, to create special effects.
The night also brought out members of various local car clubs, who attempted to cruise the bridge one last time before it is torn down.
The bridge was scheduled to close early Wednesday morning, ahead of demolition which is expected to begin on the first weekend in February.
Councilman José Huizar is scheduled to take a symbolic “final walk” on the bridge Wednesday morning, along with architect Michael Maltzan, who designed the new structure that will replace the bridge.
Video shows a moment when a police patrol arrives on the bridge:
News report on Fox 11 News:
