LA's Iconic 6th Street Viaduct Plagued by Copper Theft, Repairs Cost $2.5M
Los Angeles' iconic 6th Street Viaduct, once hailed as a future monument, now faces a grim reality. Thieves have stripped its copper wiring, causing safety hazards and costing the city dearly. The city estimates repairs at $2.5 million, while thieves likely made off with around $11,000.
The bridge, opened in 2022 at a cost of $588 million, has seen over seven miles of copper wire stolen since then. This has left residents frustrated, with the bridge remaining dark for over a year despite its initial promise as an architectural marvel. State lawmakers are pushing for harsher penalties and stricter sales regulations to combat this ongoing problem. Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez's bill, AB 476, aims to impose stricter penalties and larger fines on sellers and buyers of stolen metal. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sunday to sign this bill into law.
The original law addressing copper theft, AB 476, was introduced in 2011 by California State Assemblymember Bill Berryhill. It was part of a series of efforts to tackle metal theft, which is critical to infrastructure and agriculture in California.
The 6th Street Viaduct, meant to be a symbol of Los Angeles' progress, is now a symbol of its struggles with copper theft. Harsher penalties and stricter regulations are being considered to deter thieves and protect the city's infrastructure.
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