Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project
City of Glendale
The Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge Project aims to increase access to the LA River and Griffith Park, improve connections, and increase the safety of paths used for bicycling and walking. Explore our website to learn more!
Project Overview
The Glendale Narrows Riverwalk (Riverwalk) site is located on the north bank of the Los Angeles River opposite from Griffith Park. This unique community resource increases access to the Los Angeles River and Griffith Park, improves connections, and increases the safety of paths used for bicycling and walking. Riverwalk also provides a gateway to the Grand Central Creative Campus, River Glen Opportunity Area, and the San Fernando Creative Corridor.
Riverwalk extends from the city limits near the intersection of Garden Street and Paula Avenue to the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Verdugo Wash, adjacent to the 134 Freeway (the entire length of Glendale’s Los Angeles River frontage). It provides approximately one mile of recreational trail for bicyclists and pedestrians, with associated parks, rest areas, river overlooks, an equestrian facility, and interpretative signage. The next piece of Riverwalk, the Garden River Bridge Project, will connect Riverwalk to Griffith Park, thus significantly improving access and connections between the cities of Glendale and Los Angeles.
The Glendale-Los Angeles Garden River Bridge project will be funded by Proposition 68 Funds, 2015 Call for Projects Funds, and Assembly Bill 170 Funds.
How to Participate
Environmental Document
For information on the proposed project please contact Dennis Joe, Principal Planner, Community Development Department, Development Services Division at (818) 937-8157 or by email at DJoe@GlendaleCA.gov.
Community Meeting - Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 | 6 PM
Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting to learn more about the project and share your input.
To view the meeting livestream recording, please visit qrco.de/GardenRiverBridgeLivestream.
The meeting presentation slides are available to view in English, Spanish, and Armenian.
To view the meeting summary, please click here.
Video Animation
Watch our animated video showcasing the Garden River Bridge.
Project Schedule
Project Details
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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, 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.
On January 15, 2020, the CNRA informed the City of Glendale that additional Proposition 68 funds were granted to the project as a result of California State’s Budget re-appropriation process, and further funds were granted on April 30, 2021 as a result of a recalculation of support reductions by CNRA.
On September 6, 2021, the State of California published the State’s Budget Act of 2021 and Assembly Bill 170, Section 19.56 related to Transportation and Infrastructure, and appropriated funds from the State’s General Fund to the City of Glendale for the project.
On December 14, 2021, Glendale City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Biggs Cardosa Associates to provide engineering and environmental services for the project.
On April 7, 2025, and October 6, 2025, the project was presented to the Los Angeles River Cooperation Committee (LARCC). LARCC subsequently recommended the project to proceed with finalizing environmental clearance, permitting, and final design efforts.
Between January 19, 2026, and February 17, 2026, the Initial Study / Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration was publicly circulated for comments pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A Community Meeting was held at the City of Glendale Council Chambers on February 25, 2026, to discuss the CEQA document and project elements, and additional public comments were received and responded to.
On June 9, 2026, the Glendale City Council approved the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), completing the project's environmental review under CEQA and allowing the project to advance into final design and permitting.
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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 is currently anticipated to be completed in 2029. 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
Preliminary Proposed Perspective
Nearby Projects
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The Grayson Repowering Project will update Glendale’s local power plant with newer, cleaner, and more efficient technology. The project will replace old equipment at the Grayson Power Plant with modern systems that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions. This upgrade will make Glendale’s energy supply more reliable, support renewable energy, and help keep electricity costs stable for the community.
Click here to learn more about this project.”
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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.
Click here to learn more about this 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.
Click here to learn more about this project.
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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.
Click here to learn more about this project.
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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.
Click here to learn more about this project.
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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.
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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.
Click here to learn more about the project.
LA Zoo Vision Plan
La Kretz Bridge
Taylor Yard Bridge
SFV Bike Path
Environmental Review Process
The project requires compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is expected to result in a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). The project team will be evaluating biological and cultural resources and hazardous materials in the vicinity of the project. Air quality and greenhouse gases will also be evaluated. Technical Studies for these topics will be prepared to support the anticipated MND.
As the project includes work within the LA River, it also requires permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Section 404 and 408 permits), Regional Water Quality Control Board (Section 401 Water Quality Certification), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (a Streambed Alteration Agreement), and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For NEPA compliance, an Environmental Analysis will be prepared, anticipated to support a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
Download the project area map.
View the project’s Request for Proposal (RFP).
For more information, please email us at info@GardenRiverBridge.com.