Blog Completed 12/24/2017

    The Franklin-Orleans Street ( 230 West; 307 North) Bridge spans the Chicago River near the Merchandise Mart.   It opened in October 23, 1920.  Builder contractor was Ketler Elliot Company of Chicago.  Substructure contractor was Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company.  Engineer/Design was the city of  Chicago.   Cost was $1,000,000.  The bridge underwent renovations in 1940, 1971, 1992.

    Bridge  description is:  metal rivet-connected Pratt Pony Truss, movable double  leaf bascule (fixed trunnion).  Approach spans metal stringer (multi-beam) fixed.  There is one main span and 5 approach spans.  Largest span is 252 feet.  Structure length is 320 feet.  Roadway width is 38 feet.  This bridge was identical to the Monroe Street Bridge  1922) and the Belmont Avenue Bridge (1913).

     This was a difficult project because Franklin and Orleans did no align on both sides of the river and road modifications needed to be made.

     There are bridge tender houses on opposite corners of the structure.  They are granite faced octagonal buildings..

Inspection 12/2012

Deck Condition Rating  Good  7 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Appraisal Functionally Obsolete

  Added photos 5/10/2018