RESIDENTS GROUP AIMS TO BRIDGE BEAUTY GAP.

Byline: - Holly Edwards

Ken Bernstein figures Studio City has it all: quaint shops, elegant south-of-the-boulevard homes and even a slice of Hollywood - everything except a suspension bridge.

In a quixotic quest supported by city officials, Bernstein and other residents are seeking to persuade California Department of Transportation officials to substitute a more expensive but attractive suspension bridge for the steel-and-concrete bridge planned on Colfax Avenue.

If the state agency approves the new design, it would become the first bridge of its kind in Los Angeles.

``There is a strong sentiment in this community that anything less than an aesthetically pleasing, elegant bridge would be a missed opportunity for this community,'' Bernstein said.

``This bridge is located at the heart of Studio City's identity. It's right across from CBS Studios and leads to the villagelike shopping district on Ventura Boulevard.''

The bridge on Colfax Avenue, just north of Ventura Boulevard, would be part of a $356 million bridge restoration program in Los Angeles, the largest in the city's history.

City officials said two bridges will be replaced - the Colfax Avenue bridge and the West Boulevard bridge over Pico Boulevard - and 82 bridges repaired citywide during the next eight years under the federally funded program. About 40 percent of those bridges are located in the San Fernando Valley.

While building a standard, concrete box-girder bridge costs about $4.5 million, building a suspension bridge would cost about $8 million, said Amid Habbal, a consultant for the city Department of Public Works.

Caltrans would have to approve the additional spending from federal funds for a suspension bridge, but Habbal said city officials stand firmly behind Studio City's efforts to get the money.

``This is a very well-established neighborhood, and they deserve more than just a piece of concrete,'' said Habbal, adding that the community's wishes will be described in an environmental impact report on the Colfax Avenue bridge project. ``Basically, this bridge belongs to the community, and they've paid the taxes to get it.''

Habbal also said that a suspension bridge can be built faster, so its construction would disrupt community traffic less than construction of a box girder bridge. And, he said, city officials hope to make sure every community is happy with its bridge.

``We're here in the business of building bridges, not burning them,'' Habbal said.

While there is growing support for a Studio City suspension bridge, not everyone agrees that the design fits the community.

Michael Wollaeger, who lives four blocks from the bridge site, said a suspension bridge would be ``intrusive and unnecessary.''

``I think we need something more classic - and something tied to the history of Los Angeles,'' said Wollaeger, a former executive editor at Architectural Digest magazine.

``There is a wonderful architectural legacy among the older bridges in the city, and I think we should update that classic design. This bridge could reflect everything that makes Studio City highly esteemed.''

Tony Lucente, president of the Studio City Residents Association, said the community deserves additional funding for a suspension bridge because Studio City, like the rest of the San Fernando Valley, has not received its fair share of public dollars in the past.

``The simple answer is, we're worth it,'' Lucente said. ``We've gone for too long without our fair share, and it's time for the city to ante up.''

Lucente said the community will approve a final design proposal within a month and then present the plan to Caltrans for approval.

``The city is standing behind us, and we're ready to go to battle with Caltrans to make this happen,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

photo, map

Photo:

Members of the Studio City Residents Association bridge committee are lobbying the city for a suspension bridge that is aesthetically pleasing as a replacement bridge at Colfax Avenue over the Los Angeles River.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Map:

BRIDGE PROJECT