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.
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
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