Preserving DWP Water Line

A major focus of pre-demolition activities on Sunset Bridge was the isolation and protection of the active 34-inch-diameter water line running through the bridge. Here, protecting the water line below, workers used concrete saws to cut away at the bridge deck, rather than demolishing the deck.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

Resembling a concrete brownie, the newly removed deck piece opens another work area over the water line. Water used to cool the concrete saw and control dust has soaked the deck piece.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

The concrete deck over the 34-inch water line has been cut away, allowing sunlight to fall on the pipe for the first time in over half a century. The water line runs the length of the bridge.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

Surrounded by safety rails for workers, the trench over the water line now includes supports for the pipe.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

Threaded rods support some of the water pipe’s weight. The other end of the beams connect to the girders that support the bridge’s weight.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

By the second night of demolition, much of the east deck of the southern section of Sunset bridge has been cut away, exposing the water line and its new supports.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA

Now the southern boundary of the Sunset Bridge, the 34-inch water line still carries more the 4.5 million gallons of water each day. Above the water line is a walkway. Above that are sound blankets.

Photograph Courtesy of Metro. © 2010 LACMTA