4th Street Bridge
The 4th Street Bridge offers a gritty, industrial perspective of downtown LA framed by elegant concrete arches, ornate lamp posts, and textured balustrades.
The 4th Street Bridge, a 1931 Beaux-Arts reinforced concrete viaduct, spans the LA River between Boyle Heights and downtown LA at 4th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. The bridge frames the downtown skyline against the San Gabriel Mountains, while the L.A. Arts District underpass offers a gritty, noir-style film location setting.
Fourth Street Bridge History and Design
Spanning the LA River, the Fourth Street Bridge was completed in 1931 as part of the city's Viaduct Bond Act and designed by Merrill Butler, who served as Los Angeles' bridge engineer from 1923 to 1961. The structure blends Beaux Art and Gothic Revival styling, with detailed streetlights, porticos, and concrete railings that reward close-range framing. A seismic retrofit was completed in 1995, and the City of Los Angeles designated the bridge a Historic Cultural Monument in 2008.
Best Photo Spots
Three downtown Los Angeles photo spots: the 4th Street Bridge, the Los Angeles River at 4th Street Bridge, and the Sixth Street Bridge.
4th Street Bridge
Photographs of This Location
4th Street Bridge History and Design
The 4th Street Bridge, completed in 1931 to replace the last remaining wooden bridge over the LA River, carries traffic between Boyle Heights and downtown Los Angeles across both the river and adjacent railroad tracks. Its railings display a triangular "trefoil" pattern inspired by Gothic architecture, and the structure was retrofitted to modern earthquake standards in 1995 before being designated Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument 906 in 2008. The bridge's elevated roadway frames views along the LA River channel and toward the downtown skyline.
Fourth Street Bridge History and Features
The Fourth Street Bridge, also called the Fourth Street Viaduct, crosses the LA River within a network of bridges linking East LA to Downtown. Construction took place between 1910 and 1940, with the 1930s design featuring concrete arches, ornate lamp posts, and textured balustrades at a cost of $2,264,000. The Los Angeles City Council designated the bridge as a Historic-Cultural Monument on January 30, 2008. Photographers should note that at least one popular vantage point attributed to the 4th Street Bridge is actually located on the nearby Park Row Drive Bridge.
Practical Information
Free street parking; Street parking is typically available in the surrounding Arts District or along the bridge's approaches, though local parking restrictions should be checked.; 120 cars
06:40 - 18:51; The Fourth Street Bridge is a public roadway open to pedestrians, allowing walking access at any time.
Many of the older, run-down buildings near the 4th Street Bridge are used as film shoot locations and are available for rent as film sites.
Session Tips
- Depending on how busy parking is, you may have to walk a bit from your car to 4th Street Bridge.
- Sunset and evening photographs are recommended at 4th Street Bridge.
- A wide-angle lens is recommended to incorporate the bridge's historic railings and lamps as leading lines drawing the viewer into the city skyline.
- Timing your shutter release between vehicles is key because heavy trucks can cause slight camera shake on the bridge.
- For a different perspective, explore the areas beneath the bridge in the Arts District to capture the massive concrete pillars and industrial textures of the LA River corridor.
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Parking
- There is free street parking or parking by a nearby park at the 4th Street Bridge.
- Public transit
- The 4th Street Bridge is most easily reached by car or ride-sharing services.
- Walking distance
- The 4th Street Bridge is located in the Arts District of Los Angeles.