Equestrians, Hikers Eagerly Await Removal Of Flood Barriers Along LA River

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Work will begin Thursday to remove flood barriers along the LA River that were built four months ago in anticipation of heavy El Nino rains.

With the removal of certain portions of the barriers in Atwater Village, a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river at Sunnynook Dr. will reopen. That's good news to horseback riders and hikers eager to access Griffith Park's myriad trails.

"I can't wait," equestrian Bella Serelo said atop her horse. "We're so ready."

The bike lane along the east bank of the river north of Los Feliz will also be reopened as the barriers come down.

The barriers were erected in January by the Army Corps of Engineers at a cost of about $2 million. The river was considered especially prone to flooding due to the buildup of vegetation and sediment that impedes water flow, Army Corps of Engineers officials told the Eastsider.

The barriers were designed to be temporary, the Army Corps of Engineers said. Leaving the barriers in place until the next El Nino year would be too expensive, the agency said, due to upkeep costs.