In 2010, the City of Glendale engaged outside consultant firms to prepare the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Master Plan to improve the character of the river along the City of Glendale frontage area, and the Master Plan was finalized in 2011.

On March 3, 2015, the Glendale City Council passed a motion approving the concepts for Phase 3 of Riverwalk improvements, the preliminary Los Angeles River bridge design, also known as the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Bridge, now titled the Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project. The Glendale City Council also directed staff to submit grant applications to fund the continuation of design, construction documents, and construction of the bridge.

On September 25, 2015, as part of the 2015 Call for Projects, the Metro Board of Directors authorized a grant to the City of Glendale for the design and construction of the proposed bridge project.

On June 5, 2017, California voters approved Proposition 68, which authorized $4 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection projects, water infrastructure projects and flood protection projects. $20 million was earmarked for the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Bridge, now titled the Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project. The funds are administered by the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and a portion will be used as local match funds for the Metro 2015 Call for Projects grant.

On July 24, 2019, the City of Glendale received the fully executed Grant Agreement.

The Riverwalk Project is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 of the Riverwalk Project included a half mile of recreational trail for bicyclists and pedestrians, an equestrian facility, interpretive signage, extensive landscaping with native plants, and a major improvement of the character of the riverfront area. The construction of Phase 1 was completed in December 2012.

Phase 2 of the Riverwalk Project included one small park, construction of the remainder of the recreational trail, and a bridge crossing over a drainage culvert. Construction work was funded by a Proposition 84 Grant, Measure R funds, DIF funds, and Gas Tax monies. The construction of Phase 2 was completed in October 2018.

Phase 3, originally called the Glendale Narrows Bridge, now otherwise known as the Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project (Project), includes the planning, development, design, and construction of a 320-foot curvilinear concrete or concrete and steel bridge with concrete substructure planking and two piers in the river, safety railings, trash cans, pet waste stations, interpretive signs, pedestrian safety lighting, and access gates.

Construction is anticipated to take approximately two years, and will be completed by the 2028 Summer Olympics. Further details will be available as the project gets closer to construction. A primary objective during construction is to maintain access for cyclists and pedestrians on the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk and Los Angeles River Bike Paths

The Flower Street Beautification Project consists of adding a general purpose lane in both directions on Flower Street between Fairmont Avenue and Sonora Avenue in Western Glendale. Major businesses and attractions in this area have increased traffic on this important regional artery. This project is currently in design. Public Works staff are engaging with stakeholders before settling on design and scope of the project.

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The proposed Project would guide future development and modernization of the Zoo for the next 20 years. It would include comprehensive redesign and redevelopment of the Zoo to replace outdated buildings and infrastructure and upgrade animal care and guest amenities throughout the 133-acre Zoo. Improvements would include new and revitalized immersive exhibit space and animal habitats, new visitor-serving buildings, expanded and modernized administrative and services facilities, circulation improvements for access roads, pedestrian walkways and paths, an enhanced entryway and plaza, and new parking facilities. The Project is projected to increase annual visitation by approximately 1.2 million visitors per year.

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La Kretz Bridge, also known as the North Atwater Bridge or La Kretz Crossing, is a cable-stayed steel pedestrian bridge that crosses the Los Angeles River, linking Griffith Park with Atwater Village, immediately south of North Atwater Park. Morton La Kretz, a local philanthropist, donated $4.75 million toward the bridge's research, design and construction expenses.

In 2017, the Los Angeles City Council approved the construction of the bridge. The project was completed in February 2020.

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The Taylor Yard Bridge is part of the LA River Revitalization Master Plan that the City Council adopted in 2007. Project construction began in 2019 and completed in March 2022. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority funded this $27.2 million project. The project will connect the future 42-acre Taylor Yard G2 River Park with the Los Angeles River Bike Path, which, when all the segments are complete, will be a continuous 51-mile path from Canoga Park to Long Beach. The Taylor Yard G2 River Park, which the city aims to open in 2028, will include open space, habitat restoration and access to the L.A. River.

The bridge features a steel-framed structure, approximately 400-feet long, which is supported by a concrete pier in the central portion of the river channel. The bike and pedestrian pathway is about 18 feet wide, but the whole structure spans 30 feet tall, 27 feet wide and about 400 feet long.

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The Los Angeles River Valley Bikeways and Greenways Design Completion Project is currently missing a major link - the San Fernando Valley (SFV). This expanse makes up a 13 mile gap in the project area. The entire stretch was analyzed by the City of Los Angeles in a recent planning and pre-engineering effort that resulted in a report on how to complete the project.

Project benefits include: reduction of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by 1.66 million annually along the 101 corridor; reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 119,000 tons annually; creation of 661 construction jobs; creation of at least 23 permanent maintenance jobs; and a continuous zero emission connection between the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues.

The end goal is a traffic-separated, fully connected path through the Valley with community connections, access points, plus park spaces, rain capture, and other beneficial features.

Metro’s plan for better transit includes replacing at-grade railroad crossings at Doran Street and West Broadway/Brazil Street with an above-grade crossing. The Salem/Sperry Overpass will connect Salem Street in Glendale and Sperry Street in LA. A connector road would extend West San Fernando Road to Fairmont Avenue.

An urgent need to improve the Doran Street at-grade rail crossing means interim improvements until the Salem/Sperry Overpass is built. These include signal modifications, automatic warning devices, a new pedestrian crossing and temporary two-way road configuration with “Quiet Zone Ready” improvements.

Metro plans to start construction for the interim improvements and enhanced safety measures in 2022 to be completed in advance of the Salem/Sperry Overpass.

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