Legislation Honors Victims of 1972 Arroyo Seco Bridge Collapse

Six men lost their lives as a result of the collapse. – Courtesy photo / Pasadena Museum of History

Legislation to memorialize the area around the Foothill Bridge collapse of 1972, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 250, passed the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. The incident – where six lives were lost – occurred on the Foothill Freeway near Devil’s Gate in the City of Pasadena on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 1972.

“This bridge collapse caused an unexpected tragedy that created intense pain for families of those who were injured or died as a result,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Naming the overcrossing of the Arroyo Seco honors the victims and may bring a sense of peace to their families.”

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 1972, faulty scaffolding on a 60-foot stretch of the Foothill Freeway collapsed while concrete was being poured for the bridge, crushing victims who were under the construction at the time of the collapse. An army of 500 rescue workers labored throughout the night to locate missing workers who were buried under six feet of concrete.

Rafael Gonzales, son of the late Hector Delgado Gonzales testified in Sacramento on behalf of the victims in support of ACR 250.

“The sacrifice of my father Hector Gonzalez Delgado and his five coworkers will forever be known and appreciated by all those who utilize Highway 210,” said Rafael Gonzales. “Thanks to Assemblymember Holden and his staff, AB 250 will memorialize these men.”

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