Half of the Lake Street Bridge is gone, and I can’t get over it. And if you’ve driven anywhere near The Loop lately, you can’t either. Same for a bunch of other bridges around the city. But until Monday, CTA elevated train service over the Lake Street Bridge is unavailable too, as the Chicago Department of Transportation prepares to move a new west span into place.
That new leaf, which was built off site and floated down the river, waits on a barge in front of Santiago Calatrava’s Maquette for Constellation sculpture on the lawn at River Point as crews prep for installation. L service will return after this weekend, but the bridge will remain closed to cars and pedestrians. CDOT expects to replace the bridge’s east leaf with another train closure in the spring, with completion of the entire project expected in January 2028. The work includes restoration of the historic bridge houses and rehabilitation of the substructures and mechanical/electrical systems.
If you need Pink or Green Line trains during the L closure, there are shuttle buses running that will get transport you between the Clinton and Loop platforms. But if time allows, a stroll along the Chicago River at the confluence is always scenic. Use Randolph Street to get across the water.
Update: CDOT has announced that L service interruption will be extended until 4:00am Wednesday, October 28.
Peering downstream from the Kinzie Street Bridge. Photo by Daniel Schell
The new west leaf for the Chicago River Bridge. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The west leaf sits in front of River Point’s Calatrava sculpture. Photo by Daniel Schell
A work boat approaches renovation on the west bridge house. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The raised east leaf of the bridge. This will require another train closure in spring 2027. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Beautiful photos, Daniel! I recall in the mid 1990’s similar work in the Lake Street Bridge. That repair led to the public campaign to rebuild the entire Greenline. It’s our hope this bridge work will include an Intergovernmental agreement between CDOT and CTA to start the Greenline Modernization Plan along 63rd Street that experienced multiple derailments alongside the reconstruction of the Historic Racine Station and the construction of a Dorchester Station. Great decision CDOT to rebuild the Lake Street Bridge. Short-term inconvenience for a long lasting public benefit.
agree amazing photos , nicely done , this is not your run of the mill cameras I am guessing
I think Chicago bridges are stunning. Along the entire length of the three branches. I hope the city knows what an aesthetic asset they are in addition to infrastructure. I also look forward to innovative designs for much needed pedestrian bridges as new developments increase citizen activity along the riverfront. People wanting these pedestrian bridges should be aware that the river is a working river, so boats have to pass, and the bridges have to move.
Good to see The Iron worker in the boat as required by Union rules to always have a boat under a bridge while men are working in case someone falls in
Not related to the topic but Foundry Park broke ground
Indeed.
Is there going to be a report on it soon?
I don’t have any information about it other than what I’ve read, which is probably the same things you’ve seen, so I won’t be writing anything about it.
also want to let you know that the 1901 began vertical constuction