A fresh coat of orange paint is the latest sign of progress at a new L.A. River bridge connecting Frogtown and Glassell Park. 

Rendered view of the new bridge from the banks of the L.A. RiverSPF:architects

The 400-foot-long Taylor Yard bridge, which broke ground in 2019, is on pace to make its debut in June, following two years of construction.  Work on the project is now 75 percent complete, SPF:architects announced this week.

"I can't wait to see people using this big orange thing in the middle of the city,” said SPF:architects founder and design principal Zoltan Pali in a news release. “Bridges are special; they are so utilitarian by purpose but offer so much magic to the imagination. They are impossible to resist. I hope that this gem of a project will realize my goal of evoking the community spirit of togetherness."

The design of the bridge - which will accommodate pedestrians and cyclists - is inspired by the railroad bridges that once spanned the Los Angeles River during the community's days as an industrial hub.  The pathway cutting through the center of the structure is intended to appear as if it is floating above the structure's lightweight steel frame.

Aerial view of the Taylor Yard bridgeSPF:architects

The $20.6-million bridge will eventually feed into the Taylor Yard's G2 Park - described as the crown jewel of the Los Angeles River restoration project - and the Taylor Yard Transit Village.

The City of Los Angeles recently built two additional river crossings in the Atwater Village community.  A fourth project is planned by the City of Glendale near Griffith Park.