
Marker Chatham Avenue Bridge

Chatham Avenue Bridge

Chatham Avenue Bridge

Chatham Avenue Bridge
The Chatham Street Bridge crosses the Cal Sag Canal in Blue Island, Il. It lies between the Division Street and the Western Avenue Bridges. It was built in 1964. The builder is unknown. Engineer/Design was Benesch and Associates, Chicago.

View from the Chatham Avenue Bridge. In the distance are the Division Street and the I 57 Bridges

View from the Chatham Avenue Bridge. Western Avenue and Metra Cal Bridges in the distance

Chatham Avenue Bridge
It is a metal 8 panel bolt-connected polygonal Warren through truss, fixed and approach spans; metal stringer (multi-beam). fixed. There is one main span and 3 approach spans. The largest span measures 303.7 feet. Total structure length measures 384.7 feet. Roadway width is 29.8 feet.
From the time of its construction until 2010, little maintenance was performed on the bridge. This resulted in severe deterioration and eventual closure to traffic in 2015.
Like its twin the Division Street Bridge, this is an excellent example of a 1960’s truss bridge. Extensive renovation was undertaken. The result was the bridge was reopened to pedestrian and bicyclists on March 20, 2017.