This is a massive bridge over the north branch of the Chicago River.  It is a metal 6 panel river-connected Warren through Truss, movable single leaf bascule (heel trunnion)   It was built in 1916.

 

Contractors:

American Bridge Company Fabricator

Builder/ Constructor Kelly Atkinson Construction Company of Chicago

Engineer/Design Strauss Bascule Bridge Company

Substructure Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company.

There is one main span which is 145 feet in length.   Structure length is 186 feet.  There are three sets of tracks only two of which  are currently used.  It is used my  Metra Union Pacific.

The current bridge is the third at this site.  There  was a single track wooden bridge initially.  There was replaced in 1887 by a double track swing bridge.  This was 176 feet in length.  It weighed 400 tons

 

 

     The Dellos Street Bridge over Aux Sable Creek is the oldest still standing bridge in Grundy County.  It was originally built by Aux Sable Township in 1873. Bridge is currently maintained by Channahon.   It was regained rehabbed in 1967.

     It is a concrete 3 span arch bridge.  Its largest span 35.1 feet.  Total structure length is 122 feet.  Deck width is 19 feet.  There is a single lane of traffic in each direction. 

Bridge Inspection 11/2011

Deck                          Condition.             Rating     Satisfactory  6 out of 9

Superstructure.     Condition.             Rating.    Satisfactory  6 out of 9

Superstructure.     Condition.             Rating.    Satisfactory  6 out of 9

Sufficiency Rating. 71.9 out of 100

 

      Spanning the I and M Canal in Marseilles is a pony plate girder swing bridge.   It was built by Manufactures Bridge Company in 1887.  It was operated by hand with a crank gear system in the middle of the bridge.  The largest span  is 65 feet.  Total length is 130 feet. This was part of the Rock Island System.  It is currently abandoned.  

     There was a charge of $1.00 per car to cross the canal.

This is an old railroad bridge over the I and M Canal in Morris, Illinois.  It was built around 1905.  It is a triple intersection Warren through truss bridge.  It is the only bridge of this type on the I and M Canal.   Its length is 160 feet.  Its builder was Carnegie Steel Company.    It was a single track bridge.    It was modified to be used as a pedestrian bridge.   There is wood pedestrian decking with  6 ” by 2″ diagonal planking

At various times, the bridge was used by the Chicago, Rock Island Railroad and the Morris Terminal Railroad.

Companies serviced by this spur included: Morris Paper Company, Woelfel Tannery and and the Coleman Hardware Company.

Current owner is the State of Illinois.

Near North Utica, Illinois is a steel rusted bridge structure over the I and M Canal.  This was a spur line of the Rock Island R.R.   It was built in 1900.  It is a double intersection Warren  pony truss structure.  It is a single track.  Both ends are covered with fencing.  No adjacent track is present.  The abutments are limestone capped with concrete.   The span length is 95 feet.  Total length is 95 feet.  The structure is abandoned.

There has been a rail spur at this location since 1870.  Companies serviced included Utica Brick Company, Utica Sewer and Pipe Terra Cotta Company, Hydraulic Cement Company, and town grain elevators.

     The current Wabash Avenue Bridge ( 50 East  326 North) over the Chicago River is the first bridge at this  location.  It is 7/10ths of a mile west of the river mouth.  In 1985, it was dedicated as the Irv Kupcinet Bridge  Mr. Kupcinet was a long time columnist for the Chicago Sun Times News Paper.   Their offices used to be located on Wabash Avenue near the river.   The bridge was built in 1930.  It was rehabbed in 2003.  It consists of one main span and 3 approach spans.  The main span length is 269 feet.  The structure length is 345.2 feet.   The roadway width is 57 feet.

The official bridge description is metal rivet-connected Pratt Railing Height Truss, movable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion) and approach spans: metal stringer (multibeam), fixed.  There are single  bridge tender houses on each side of the bridge.  They are Beaux Arts Style.

 

The contractors were: Building/Contractor  Ketler-Elliot Company of Chicago

Engineer/Design  City of Chicago (Thomas Pihlfeldt)

Electric Contractor  Pierce Electric Company

Bridge Tender Houses Contractor  George Cullen, Inc.

Inspection 10/2011

Deck                           Condition             Rating                   Very  Good        8 out of 9

Superstructure        Condition             Rating                   Satisfactory      6 out or 9

Substructure           Condition             Rating                    Poor                  4 out of 9

 

Appraisal   Structurally deficient

 

     The current State Street Bridge ( 0 East; 309 North)crosses the main channel of the Chicago River .8 mile from the river mouth.  This Bridge is also known as the Bataan–Corregidor Memorial Bridge.  It has a similar appearance to the adjacent Dearborn Street Bridge.   The building project was prolonged from 1942 to 1949.  There were two reasons for this: 1) steel shortage during World War II and 2) the concurrent red line subway project under the Chicago River at the same site. Bridge was completed May 28, 1949.

Like the Dearborn Street Bridge, the State Street Bridge description is metal rivet-connected Pratt Railing Truss, movable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion); and approach span, metal stringer  (multibeam), fixed.   There is one main span and 5 approach spans.    Main span length is 245 feet.  Structure length is 307 feet.  Roadway width is 72 feet.

List of contractors

Building Contractors  Overland Construction Company of Chicago

Engineer/Design City of Chicago

Substructure Contractor  Fitzsimons and Connell Dredge and Dock Company

Construction cost was 3.5 million dollars.

     Bridge carried two continuous lines of 50 ton streetcars on either side of the center truss until 2/18/1957.

     The first bridge at this site was built in 1864.  It was an iron reinforced swing bridge.    It was 184 X 35 feet. It was designed and constructed by Fox and Howard for $36,000.  It was destroyed in the Chicago Fire of 1871.

    This was replaced in 1872 by a 184 foot metal through truss swing bridge with ornamental details.  This was designed  and constructed by the Keystone Bridge Company for $49,509

     The third bridge was built in September, 1887.  It was a Pratt truss steel swing bridge powered by steam. It was designed and constructed by A. Gotten and Company for $24,400.  The center pier was rebuilt in 1898.    It was converted from steam to electric in 1897.  The bridge was closed on October 8, 2001

    A new bridge was built in 1903 by the American Bridge Company. It was a Scherzer rolling lift bascule pony truss bridge.  Substructure Contractor was Lydon and Drews Company.  Cost was $147, 648.  Bridge was removed in May,1939.

Bridge Inspection as of 11/2012

Deck                    Condition Rating           Satisfactory       6 out of 9

Superstructure Condition  Rating           Fair                     5 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating               Satisfactory      6 out of 9

 

Appraisal   Functionally Obsolete

 

 

    Revised 12/9/2017

 The Dearborn Street Bridge (50 West; 307 North) runs North and South across the main channel of the Chicago River .85 mile from the river mouth.  It  has the distinction of being one of the youngest Chicago bridges.  It opened in October, 1963.   It was two years behind schedule for multiple reasons: 1) Constructions snags; 2) disagreements between the city and the contractors; 3) national steel workers strike; 4) Construction of adjacent Marina City.  It was rehabbed in 2006.

  The bridge description is a metal rivet-connected Pratt Railing Height Truss, movable; double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion; approach spans: metal stringer (multibeam) fixed.   The bridge is steel.  A unique feature is the presence of only one bridge keeper house.

There is one main span and 4 approach spans.  The main span length is 235 feet.  The structure length is 341 feet.  Roadway width is 56 feet.

Contractors were as follows:

Builder/Contractor   Overland Construction Company of Chicago  (Bid $2,685,134)

Engineer/ Design City of Chicago

Substructure Contractor  States Improvement Company  ( Bid $1,162,050)

Electric Contractor  Garden City Engineering (Bid  $630,992)

     This area was the site of multiple prior bridges.  The first bridge was built in 1834.   It was a movable bridge.  It was 300 feet long and 16 feet wide.  It was a yellow frame wood hand operated bascule design.  It was designed and constructed by Nelson Norton.  The city council voted to remove this bridge on July 8, 1839.  Irate citizens took matters into their and demolished the bridge.   A replacement bridge did not come for years.  In the interim, there was a ferry service at this site.

       The second bridge at this site was built in 1888.   It was an iron, hand operated  swing bridge.  The construction project involved floating Wells Street Bridge  superstructure  (built in 1872)  to Dearborn Street on scows.  This was then mounted on new center piers and foundations.   Bridge was designed by Fox and Howard.   They were also the  superstructure contractor.  Substructure contractor was FitzSimons and Connell.  Cost was $22,800.     At some point in time, the bridge was converted to steam power.  In 1897, it was converted from steam to electric.  In 1901, Chicago Union Traction replanked  the entire roadway.  There was a history of multiple collisions involving the bridge.   The bridge was removed In 1907.

 In 1907, a Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge was built at this site.   The bridge was constructed by the Sanitary District.  Superstructure Contractor was George Jackson, Inc.   Substructure Contractor was Great paLaces Dredge and Dock Company.  Cost was $316,067.72.   This bridge was removed in 1959

Bridge Inspection as of 12/2010

Deck Condition Rating     Satisfactory   6 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating  Fair 5 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating Satisfactory  6 out of 9

Appraisal  Functionally Obsolete

 

    Revised 12/15/2017

      The current Clark Street Bridge ( 200 West; 307 North) runs North and South across the main channel of the Chicago River 1.2 miles west of the river mouth.  It is the eighth bridge at this site.  It was completed on July 10, 1929.    It was described as a metal river-connected Pratt Pony Truss, movable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion) and approach spans , metal stringer (multibeam); fixed.   It consists of one main span and 3 approach spans.    The main span length is 245.4 feet. The structure length is 346 feet.  The deck width is 38 feet. The bridge deck is open grating.  There are four lanes of traffic.  There are two sidewalks.  There are two beaux arts style bridge tender houseses.  They have mansard tin roofs. The bridge was rehabbed in 1985.

The following is a list of contractors:

Builder/Contractor Ketler–Elliot Company of Chicago.  Substructure Contractor FitzSimons and Connell Dredge and Dock Company.   Electric Contractor Norwood and Noonan Company.

The bridge was designed by Loran Gayton and city bridge engineer Paul Shioler.

Bridge cost was $1,529.492.77

      The discussions about building a bridge over the Chicago River were quite acrimonious lifting North and South sides.  Finally, a bridge was built in July, 1840.     It was a hand operated pontoon float swing bridge. It was constructed by William Ogden.  Cost was $3,000.00  It was destroyed in the flood  of 1849.

     A second more substantial pontoon float swing operated was constructed in July 3, 1849.  Like its predecessor, it was also hand operated. The bridge was 10 to 12 feet above the water.  The bridge was designed and come by John Censon.  Total cost was $2800.   The city contributed $1500 and the adjacent property holders contributed the balance.  In 1853, the bridge was destroyed in a collision with steamer London.  The destroyed bridge was repaired and relocated to Polk Street.
       The third bridge at Clark Street was built by July 4, 1854.    It was designed and built by Derastus Harper (City superintendent of Public works).  It was a pivot bridge with sidewalks and a double carriageway for north and southbound traffic.  It was 330 feet long and 30 feet wide.    It incorporated protection piers to protect the open bridge.  Throughout its history, it had structural problems.    On July 28, 1858 It split in two pieces. 

    The fourth bridge at this location was a Howe truss wood operated swing bridge.  It was designed and built by Chapin and Company in 1858. Construction cost was $14,200.

     It was one of the busiest bridges across the Chicago River.    It had to be replanked in 1859.  In January 1866, the City Superintendent reported that the bridge was rotten and unsafe for traffic.  It was removed on April 6, 1866. 

     The fifth bridge at this site opened on June 9, 1866.  It was the first wood and iron hand operated bridge in Chicago.  It incorporated an improved Howe Truss and a new turntable patented James K. Thompson.  

     It was 180 feet long and 32 feet wide.  It was designed by the Board of Public Works and James Thompson.  It was constructed by Thomas Makin.  Construction costs were $13,800.00.  The bridge was destroyed in the Chicago Fire of October, 1871.

     The sixth bridge at this location opened on January 9, 1872.  It was a Howe truss swing wood and iron bridge.  It was hand operated.  It was designed and constructed by Fox and Howard.  Construction cost was $32,000.00.  

     In 1889, the bridge was moved Webster Bridge.

     The seventh Clark Street Bridge opened in 1889.  This was a joint project with the city of Chicago and the North Chicago Street Railroad.  The railroad paid for the superstructure and ongoing maintenance.  The city paid for the substructure.  This was a steel Pratt truss steam powered swing bridge.  There was a street car and traffic land in each direction. 

    The bridge was designed by the North Chicago Street Railroad.  Superstructure Contractor was Variety Iron Works.  Substructure Contractor was FitzSimons and Connell.  Cost was $186,562.

     This was a busy bridge.  In 1897, the bridge was converted from steam to electric power.  In 1907, the roadway was repaved. In 1929, the bridge was severely damaged in a collision with the sand barge Sandmaster.   It was subsequently demolished.

Bridge Inspection as of 11/2012

Deck Condition Rating  Fair 5 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Appraisal Functionally Obsolete

The area near the Clark Street Bridge was the site of the Eastland Disaster.  On July 24, 1915,  this ship was docked at this site.  It was one of five boats scheduled to take Western Electric employees and their families on an excursion across the lake to Michigan City , Indiana.    The Eastland never left the Chicago River.  It rolled over with many of the passengers dumped into the water.    There were 884 fatalities.    There is a memorial plaque along the river walkway memorializing this historic event.

   Revised 12/ 18/2017

       The current bridge (100West: 307 North) spans the main  Chicago River North to South 1 mile west of the river mouth.   It opened on December 20, 1928.  Its official description is metal rivet-connected Pratt Pony Truss double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion); approach spans: metal stringer (multibeam),fixed. The largest spam is 242 feet.  Total length is 347 feet.  Deck width is 56.1 feet. 1 main span and 3 approach spans

     It is the first bridge  at this location.  It is one of the most ornamental bridges.    There are 4 Bridge Tender Houses.  2 are really not needed.  These houses have Baroque style ornamentation.

 

     The bridge designers were city engineers Donald Becker, Thomas Pihlfeldt, and Clarence Rowe.   Superstructure  Contractor was Stroebel Steel Construction Company; Substructure Contractor was Central Dredging Company.  Kelly Atkinson Construction Company was contractor for all 4 bridge tender houses.  Electrician was Norwood Noonan.

Total cost was $1.8 million.

     A tunnel was the first connection  between North and South La Salle Street.  Construction began on November 3, 1869.   It was designed by William Bryson.  Construction was done by Robert Moss.  The project was completed on July 4, 1871.  Cost was $566,000.  Length was two thousand feet.   Originally, the tunnel was designed for both pedestrians and horses drawn vehicles

    Because the tunnel was dark, it was underused.  It was more valuable to street car companies.

     When the flow in the Chicago River was reversed, the depth of the river was increased.   This necessitated a deepening of the tunnel.   This project was completed on June 22, 1912.  Use of the tunnel decreased.  It was permanently closed in November, 1939.

    

The bridge was dedicated in 1999 as the Marshal Sulloway Bridge (former commissioner of public works)

Inspection as of 10/2011

Deck Condition Rating Poor 4 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating Serious 3 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Appraisal Structurally Defficient.