Road rash, copper wire thefts, graffiti, illegal fireworks, hair cuts, street takeovers and tragically, even death just mark some of the chaotic headlines pertaining to what was supposed to be a shining landmark, Downtown’s “Ribbon of Light” was supposed to be a symbol of civic pride for Los Angeles instead the bridge has become something more complicated: a crime‑ridden, vandalized, and darkened public space that has frustrated residents, city officials, and commuters ever since its ever since it’s christening in the summer of 2022.
Today, nearly everything that could go wrong with a major public infrastructure project has gone wrong — leaving many Angelenos now asking: Is there any hope of rescuing the “Ribbon of Light”.
Robbin of The Dark
Photo courtesy LA Times
One of the most persistent problems plaguing the Sixth Street Bridge has been widespread copper wire theft. Thieves have repeatedly stripped the bridge’s lighting wiring for scrap metal, leaving the once‑bright landmark completely dark at night. Over time, roughly seven miles of copper wire were stolen — that’s enough wiring to span great portions of downtown. The metal fetched only a few thousand dollars on the streets for the thieves, but the damage costs to the city ballooned into the millions.
City officials launched a special task force with the LAPD, Bureau of Street Lighting, and other agencies to stop the thefts and investigate how metal recycling centers accept stolen materials. Some arrests have been made, but the problem hasn’t stopped — and in many cases, fixes are stolen again shortly after repairs are made.
Photo courtesy Gary Leonard
Residents who once walked the bridge at night for its glowing arches now describe crossing it in pitch black darkness, with nothing but streetlights and phone flashlights to guide them.
Playing Tag
Photo courtesy Yahoo News
A real life Graffiti Bridge has been plagued by widespread vandalism, turning its clean white arches and walkways into free canvases for street art, tagging, and political messages. Police officials have publicly noted that the bridge is now largely covered in graffiti, prompting calls for increased patrols and more frequent cleanup efforts.
Destructive behavior hasn’t stopped there. In the months following its grand opening, the bridge was frequently the site of street takeovers — gatherings where drivers do “donuts” and burnouts in the roadway, creating hazards for other motorists and pedestrians. These stunts forced the LAPD to shut down sections of the bridge during some nights shortly after it opened.
Tragedy and Public Safety Concerns
The darkened, unlit expanse hasn’t just been unsightly — it’s been dangerous. A teenager tragically fell from one of the bridge’s tall arches during dangerous stunts and died, highlighting serious safety issues with people climbing the structure.
Pedestrians and cyclists now face risks from dark pathways, uneven surfaces, and criminal activity after sunset. Neighbors and local runners say they avoid the area at night because of the darkness, and community groups have expressed worries that a lack of lighting could contribute to additional accidents or crime.
“This is why we can’t have nice things,”
The bridge was a costly investment — roughly $588 million — and was intended to be Los Angeles’ most celebrated new structure, replacing the historic 1930s viaduct that once served film backdrops in Grease, Terminator 2, and Transformers.
City leaders once described it as a “love letter to the city,” and its arches were meant to be illuminated in vibrant color schemes for events and holidays. But nearly three years after completion, instead of reminding people of Los Angeles’ cultural resurgence, the bridge has come to symbolize the city’s struggles with public safety, infrastructure vulnerability, and neighborhood neglect.
Hope on the Horizon
Photo courtesy LA Times
Despite the setbacks, city officials say there is hope for the “Ribbon of Light.” In preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles authorities have hired a specialist engineering firm to help relight and fortify the bridge’s lighting system.
The selected global engineering firm Tetra Tech will fortify and relight the Sixth Street bridge’s lighting system. Tetra Tech began design work this year to restore wiring and lighting along the roadway, barriers, ramps, stairways and arches, and to make lighting infrastructure harder to steal or damage in the future. The plan goes beyond simply replacing stolen copper wires — it includes making wiring harder to access, improving security measures, and engaging local communities in the redesign of lighting schemes.
Councilmembers and the Bureau of Engineering have acknowledged that simply fixing broken lights isn’t enough if the bridge continues to be a target — so their approach includes “hardening” infrastructure against theft and vandalism. Ideas under consideration include sealed wiring access points, alarm systems, and partnerships with scrap metal dealers to deter the resale of stolen materials.
Community outreach efforts are also underway, inviting residents to provide input on how the bridge should look when the lights do come back on — including possible color patterns that reflect neighborhood identity and cultural heritage.
