Written 12/22/2017

      The current Wells Street Bridge ( 200 West; 309 North) is the eighth bridge at this site. It crosses the main branch of the Chicago River 1.4 miles west of river mouth.  It is one of the four double deck bridges over the Chicago River.  

     It Is a metal rivet-connected  Warren through Truss movable; double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion) and approach spans :  metal stringer (multibeam ); fixed.  The upper decks carries two tracks of the CTA elevated line. On the lower deck, there are cantilevered side walks.  There are two granite faced octagonal bridge tender houses.

     There is one main span and four approach spans.  Main span measures 268 feet.  Structure length measures 345.2 feet.  Roadway width measures 38 feet.

     To minimize railroad traffic disruption, the bridge was constructed in the open position.  I have found at least two dates for the bridge opening:  December 4, 1921 or February 11, 1922.

     In 1935, there was a collision between a ship and the bridge.  The east side sidewalk was torn away.  There was also damage to the superstructure.  In 1936, there were two bridge malfunctions in a ten day period.  In 1936, new creosoted  block deck pavement was installed. Four main columns of the bridge approaches were reinforced with horizontal trusses.  In 1956, the old bridge deck was removed and replaced with open grid steel roadway.  The bridge was closed to traffic beginning in November, 2012 for a complete bridge rehabbed.

     The following were bridge contractors:

Designer:  Bureau of Engineering Chicago Department of Public Works.

Substructure Contractor:  Fits Simons  and Connell Company

Superstructure Contractor:  Ketler Elliot Company.

Steel Fabricator:  Fort Pitt Bridge Company

Construction Cost  $1,341, 925.

     The first bridge at Wells Street opened in 1841.  It was a wood hand operated pontoon – float swing bridge. There were wood approaches at each end. It was designed and built by John Van Osdel.  Cost was $3500.  It was removed in 1847.

     The second bridge at Wells Street opened in July, 1847.  Like its predecessor it was a pontoon swing design.  Its   floats were made from boiler iron.  Neither the bridge designer not the builder are known.   Construction cost was $3000.  It was destroyed by a flood on March 12, 1849.

     The third Wells Street Bridge opened in September, 1849.  It was a new pontoon-float swing design operated with a turn table.  It was hand operated.  It incorporated salvaged floats from the second bridge.  Neither the designer nor the builder are known.  Cost was $3200.  The bridge was removed in 1856.

     The fourth Wells Street Bridge opened in 1856.  It was a swing wood hand operated type bridge.  It was 190 feet in length and had 3 arch trusses.It was designed and constructed by Derastus Harper City superintendent of public works.  Construction cost was $20,000.

     In 1861, the bridge was strengthened with cables to relieve strain.  The bridge was eventually removed in August, 1862.

     The fifth bridge at this site opened in 1862.  It was a wood swing pivot hand operated bridge.  This bridge used the foundation and turntable of its predecessor.  It was designed and constructed by Fox and Howard.  Cost was $8000.00. It was destroyed in the Chicago Fire of October 8–10th, 1871.

     The sixth Wells Street Bridge opened in  August, 1872  It was an all iron swing hand operated bridge  It was 190 feet in length.  It required an all new substructure .  It was designed and constructed by Fox and Howard.  Its cost was $49,002.  After 16 years of service, the bridge was relocated on March 26, 1888 to Dearborn Street.

     The 7th Wells Street Bridge opened on August 24, 1888.  It was an all steel swing bridge.  Originally it was powered by steam.  This was later converted to electric power.  It was 220 feet long.  Part of the financing was provided by North Chicago Street Railroad Company  ($59,000 + $4,690 operating costs).  City of Chicago paid for the substructure.  Total construction costs were $112,692.

     Bridge designer and superstructure contractor was Keystone Bridge Company.  Substructure contractor was FitzSimons and Connell.

     In 1890, Department of Public Works made repairs to the center pier and North approach.  In July 5, 1896, the bridge was closed so that the contractor Shailer and Schniglau could add a top deck to carry the trains of the Northwestern Elevated Railroad Company.  A new set rollers was added to the bridge turntable.  Seven Center panels were removed from all three bridge trusses and were replaced with heavier steel.  Bridge reopened in September 20 of the same year.The

     The bridge closed on December 3, 1921 and then was removed.

 

Bridge Inspection (8th bridge). 12/2012

Deck                            Condition.             Rating        Fair.          5 out of 9

Superstructure.       Condition.             Rating.       Serious    3 out 9

Substructure.            Condition.             Rating.      Fair.         5 out of 9

Appraisal  Functionally  Deficient

Photos added 4/14/2018

Photos added 4/8/2018

     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

 Revised and expanded 1/1/2018

  There have been 8 bridges at Randolph Street.  The current Randolph Street Bridge (150 North; 358 West) crosses east to west over the South Branch of the Chicago River 1.7 miles from the mouth of the river.  The bridge took three years to complete.  It opened on December 18, 1984.  

      It is a movable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion) and approach spans, metal stringer (multibeam); fixed.   It is steel box girder construction similar to the Loomis Street bridge.    The main span is 216 feet long.  Structure length is 336.3 feet.  There is one main span and three approach spans.

     It was designed by the City Department of Public Works and Hazelet and Erdal.  Contractor was Kenny Construction Company.  Cost was $18 million.

     The first bridge at Randolph Street was a hand  operated pine and oak pontoon swing bridge  It was the first of this kind of bridge in Chicago.  It completed on May 6, 1839.  It was designed by John Van Osdel.  It was built by Charles Grog, City  Street Commisioner.  Construction costs were $1400.  The bridge was removed In 1847.

     The second bridge at this site was similar to its predecessor.  It was a wood, hand operated pontoon swing bridge.  It opened in 1847.  Neither the designer nor   the builder are known.  Construction costs were $5,000.  Bridge was destroyed by a flood on March 12, 1849.

      The third bridge at this site  was a wood hand operated pontoon swing bridge.    It was a refurbished version of the first bridge.  It opened in August, 1849.   The cost was $924 dollars  (1/3 funds from local area subscribers; 2/3 city funds).  The bridge was designed and built by Bridge Committee City of Chicago.  

     In January, 1850, Derastus Harper converted this to a turntable pontoon swing bridge.  

     The bridge was removed and relocated to North Avenue in 1856.

     The fourth bridge at this site was opened in July, 1856.  It was a swing pivot wood hand operated bridge.  It was 162 feet in length.  It has wood Howe trusses.  It had two 18 foot roadways.  There were 7 feet sidewalks.  The approaches and center piers were built on pilings.

     It was designed by William Boomer.  Construction was done by Stone, Boomer, and Bouton.   Cost was $20,811.  In May, 1864, the bridge was broken beyond repair.

     The fifth bridge at this site was a swing wood hand operated bridge.  The bridge was constructed off site.  The old foundation was used.    The bridge was 153 feet long and 32 1/2 feet wide.  It was a double truss structure.  The bridge opened July, 1864.  It was designed and constructed by L.B. Boomer.   Construction costs were $5000.  Bridge was removed in 1874.

     The 6th bridge at this site opened in 1874. It was an all iron steam powered swing  bridge. .  It used the old foundation.  It weighed 134 tons.  It was 157 feet long.  It was 34 feet wide. It was designed and built by the Keystone Bridge Company.  Construction costs were $10,850.

     In 1897, the bridge was converted to electric power.  

     The bridge was removed In 1903.

     The 7th bridge at this site was a Scherzer Rolling Lift steel electric powered.  It opened on April 15,1903. It was built by the Chicago Sanitary District.  It was 169 feet long and 72 feet wide.

     It was designed by Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company.

     Superstructure Contractor was the American Bridge Company.

     Substructure Contractor was Jackson Corbett Company.

     During its life, the bridge underwent multiple repairs and rehabs.

     It was removed July, 1981

Inspection as of 12/2010

Deck Condition Rating  Good 7 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating Good 7 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating Very Good   8 out of 9

 

The Michigan Avenue Bridge (110 East  365 North) crosses the main channel of the Chicago River 1/2 mile west of the river mouth.     It was designed by Edward Bennett.  The architectural style is Beaux Arts.  The bridge was built in 1920.  It was the first double deck bascule bridge ever built.  It was built as a replacement of the Rush Street Bridge.   The bridge was granted landmark status on July, 1991.  It was named DuSable Bridge in October, 2010.

There are four bridge tender houses.  There are bas relief sculptures  on all of these buildings.  Each has a theme in Chicago History:  The Discoverers (North Tender House  Marquette and Joliet),    The Pioneers (North Tender House. Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, John Kinzie),  Defense ( South Bridge Tender House Fort Dearborn Massacre),   and Regeneration (South Bridge Tender House Rebuilding of City after the fire).  The two northern bridge tender houses were donated to Chicago by William Wrigley Jr.  4 Bridge Pylons double as bridge tender houses.  During World War II, the southeast bridge house was used a a recruiting office for the U.S. Maritime Service.  The southwest bridge house is being used  as the home of the McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum.

In the 1990’s, the bridge underwent an extensive rennovation.  Cost was $31 million.  During this project, the south leaf bascule moved from the reunion bearings.  The leaf weighing 6.5 million pounds had to be lifted and repositioned.
The bridge is actually  side by side double leaf bascules.  Each side can be raised and lowered separately.

 

 

        Revised and completed 12/28/2017

     The current Lake Street Bridge is the fifth bridge at this location.  The bridge (356 West; 200 North) crosses the South Branch of the Chicago River 1.6 miles from the river mouth. This is a double deck bridge.  This was the first double deck bascule bridge in the world. It carries auto traffic on its street level.  On its upper level, it carries elevated line rapid transit traffic–Green and Pink Lines.  It opened on November 6, 1916.    It was rehabbed in 1995.  The bridge description:  metal rivet-connected Warren through truss, movable; double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion).  Approach spans: metal stringer multiple beams fixed.  There is one main span and 4 approach spans.   Largest span 245 feet.  Total length 332.9 feet.  Deck width is 16 feet.

     Superstructure contractor is Kettler and Elliot Erection Company of Chicago.  Substructure contractor was FitzSimons and Connell Company.  Design City Engineers. John Ericson, Thomas Pihlfeldt, Alexander von Babo, Hugh Young.  Architect Edward Benett.  Construction Costs were $610,000.

     There were major rehabs in 1959 and 1969

     

   The first crossing at Lake Street was a ferry.

     The first bridge built at this site opened in 1852.  It was a pivot wood hand operated bridge.  It was the first center pier pivot bridge built in Chicago.  It was designed and built by Street Superintendent Derasmus Harper.  In 1857, $1700 was spent in repairs.  In the same year, it was involved in a crash with the Steamer Foster.  The bridge was removed in 1859.

     The second bridge at Lake Street opened on July 2, 1859.  The bridge was a 185 foot swing wood hand operated resting on a pile center pier and stone abutments.  It was designed and built by Newton Chapin.  On July 7, 1859, the bridge was involved in a collision.  It was removed in 1867.

     The third bridge at this site opened in 1867.  The Substructure of the second bridge was refurbished.  A new bridge superstructure was built in 1867.  The new bridge was a Howe truss 33 feet wide. It was a swing wood and iron hand operated. It was designed and built Fox and Howard.  Construction costs were $11,450.  It was removed in 1885.

     4th Lake Street Bridge

     In 1885, the West Division Railway Company offered to pay one half the costs of the new bridge.  In return, the company was allowed to use the bridge for its tracks.

     The new  fourth bridge opened in June, 1886.  It was a Pratt truss iron swing bridge powered by steam initially later converted to electric power. It was 220 feet long and 59 feet wide.  It has two roadways each 21 feet wide. Each carried street cars.  There were two 8 and one half feet sidewalks.  The bridge was designed and built by the Detroit Bridge Company.  Substructure Contractor was FitzSimmons and Connell Company.  Construction costs were $127,259.

     Later, the Lake Street Elevated Railroad paid to reinforce the bridge and added an upper deck to carry The elevated lines.

     Bridge was removed February–November 1916.

Bridge evaluation as of 10/2011

Deck Condition Condition Rating  Good 7 out of 9

Superstructure Condition  Rating  Poor 4 out of  9

Substructure Condition Rating  Fair 5 out of 9

Overall appraisal Structurally Deficient

 

     This is a railroad bridge over the north branch of the Chicago River.  It is located between the Kinzie Street traffic bridge and the Lake Street Bridge.  It was built in 1908.  It is one of the few single leaf movable bascule bridge with the counterweight above ground and independently moving.  The bascule superstructure was a design by Joseph Strauss.  The steel superstructure was fabricated by Toledo Massillon Bridge Company of Toledo.   The substructure was designed by William Finley.   The largest span is 170 feet.  Total length is 196 feet.  There is one main span and one approach span.  The bridge was built for the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.  At the time of construction, this was longest and heaviest bridge of this type.  It carried passengers and freight to the Wells Street station.  Eventually, it carried only freight.  Its last customer was the Chicago Sun Times.  In 1995, CNW was taken over by the Union Pacific Railroad.

 

 

Although the line was abandoned in 2001, the bridge is operated once a year.  It is stated that the bridge is in good mechanical order.

The bridge has been known by multiple names.  These include:  Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge (ironic because the bridge is actually located at Carroll Street), North Branch  Railroad Bridge, CNW Wells Street Bridge (after the CNW Station).

There have been many bridges at this site.  There was a railroad bridge from 1852 here.  One of the first all steel bridges was built at this site in 1879.   This bridge was replaced with lattice through truss swing bridge in 1898.

         Revised and expanded on 1/14/2018

   There have been six bridges at the Kinzie Street site. The location is historic because: it is the location of the first Chicago bridge (1832); the site of a river fire (1899);site of a flood that shut down the city center for one week (1992).   The current Kinzie Street Bridge (423 west; 400 North) crosses the North Branch Chicago River 1.8 miles from river mouth.  It crosses east to west.   Its technical description is Metal Riveted-connected Pratt through Truss, movable single leaf bascule (Fixed trunnion).  Approach spans metal stringer, fixed.   This bridge is the only remaining single leaf bascule from the first generation through truss.  It opened on May 10, 1909.

     In 1910, danger signals were installed on the west approach; the deck was paved. In 1931, the east bridge house was elevated above the sidewalk and was rebuilt.  In 1939, the upper two stories of the State Street Bridge house were moved to the sw corner of the bridge. In November, 1998,Kinsey Street was closed and the bridge structure was elevated 5 feet.  Bridge was converted from movable to fixed.  The bridge was rehabbed extein 1999.

       The main span is 136.2 feet.  The structure length is 195 feet.  Road width is 36 feet.  There is one main span  and 2 approach spans. 

     Contractors were:

     Design:                  Alexander von Babo   City Engineer of Bridge Design

      Contractor Superstructure:  John J. Gallery

      Contractor Substructure:    Great Lakes Dredge  and Dock Co.

     Construction costs were $199,750.

     The first bridge at Kinzie Street opened in 1832.  It was a fixed wood bent bridge.  

     Contractors were:

     Design:                  Samuel Miller

     Construction:     Samuel Miller

     Construction costs are unknown.

     The bridge was removed In 1839.

     The second bridge at this site opened in 1839. It was a wood pontoon swing bridge hand operated.  It was 120 feet by 10 feet.  

     Contractors were:

     Design:  unknown

    Construction:     L. Price and R. Freeman.

     Construction costs were unknown.

     This bridge was destroyed in a flood March 12,1849.

     The third Kinzie Street Bridge opened September, 1849.  It was a pontoon turntable wood swing bridge, hand operated.  

     Contractors were:

     Designer:          Derastus Harper, City Superintendent Public Works

     Construction:  Derastus Harper, City Superintendent Public Works

     Construction costs were $1276.

     Bridge was removed in 1859.
   

     Fourth bridge at this site opened on November 3, 1859.  It was a swing wood hand operated structure. 

     Contractors were:

Designer:            Newton Chapin and Company

Construction:    Newton Chapin and Company

     Construction costs were:    $15,000

     The bridge was removed In 1870.

     The fifth bridge was constructed in 1870  It was a Howe truss hand operated wood an iron swing bridge.  It was 170 feet long and 31 1/2 feet wide.

     Contractors were:

Designed:          Fox and Howard

Construction:  Fox and Howard

Construction costs were $15,850.

     In April 17, 1899, there was a river fire that caused extensive bridge damage. The bridge house, western approach, roadway, and side walks were rebuilt.

     The bridge was removed on December 16, 1907

Inspection of current bridge on 9/2011.

     Deck.                        Condition         Rating:      Good   7 out of 9

Superstructure.         Condition.        Rating.      Fair       5 out of 9

Substructure              Condition.         Rating.     Satisfactory   6 out of 9

Appraisal  Funtionally obsolete

     There was an unusual incident involving the current bridge.  On Augus, 2004, a river cruise boat the Little Lady was drenched with septic waste from a bus chartered by the Dave Matthews Band.  The driver apparently emptied the holding tank while the bus was on the Kinzie Street Bridge

     Revised and expanded on 1/13/2018

     The Ohio Street Bridge (500 West; 560 North) runs east to west across the North Branch Chicago River 2.1 miles from the mouth.  This is the first and only bridge at this location.

    It was built in 1961.  It was renovated in 1992. It is a unique structure.  It is two side by side double leaf bascule bridges.   There are three lanes in each direction. There are two bridge houses.  There are no pedestrian sidewalks.  It is a major connection between the near North side and the Kennedy Expressway.  The main span is 219.2 feet. Structure length is 367 feet. Roadway width is 76 feet.  It has one main span and two approach spans.

     Contractors were:

     Designer:           Division of Bridges and Viaducts  City of Chicago

     Superstructure Contractor:   Strobel Steel Construction Company

     Substructure Contractor:        FitzSimons and Connell Company

     Construction Costs were $195,141.

     Inspection as of 12/2012

     Deck Condition Rating Satisfactory 6 out of 9

     Superstructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

     Substructure Condition Rating Fair 5 out of 9

Photos added 4/19/2018

  

   

    Revised and expanded 1/13/2018

    The Grand Avenue Bridge (462 West; 450 North) traverses the North Branch of the Chicago River east to west 2 miles from the river mouth. The current bridge is the second at this location.  It opened December 13,1913.  It was rehabbed in 1974.  The following is the technical description of the bridge: metal rivet-connected Pratt Pony Truss, moveable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion).  Approach spans: metal stringer (multibeam fixed).  It is a steel structure.  It is a second generation Chicago bascule bridge.  There is one main span and 3 approach spans.   In the early 2000’s, it was converted from movable to fixed.

     The largest span is 187.9 feet.  The total length is 269.9 feet.  Deck width is 36 feet.

   Contractors are as follows:

     Superstructure was built by Strobel Steel Construction Company Chicago

     Substructure Contractor was Fitzsimmons and Connell Bridge and Deck Company Chicago

     Bridge Engineer/Design City of Chicago.

     Construction costs were $195,141.

     The first bridge at this location opened in 1869.  It was a common Howe truss wood and iron swing bridge.  It was 163 feet long and 32 feet wide. In 1895, it received a reinforced floor system for electric streetcars.   In 1907, the bridge underwent an extensive rehab.

     Designer:          Fox and Howard

    Construction:   Fox and Howard

     Construction Costs were $48,800.

     Bridge was removed between June to July, 1910

Bridge  inspection (Current Bridge) 11/2010

Deck Condition Rating Satisfactory 6 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating Poor 4 out of 9

Substructure Rating Condition Satisfactory 6 out of 9

Appraisal Structurally Deficient

Photos added 4/19/2018.

The following images were obtained in the end of July, 2017.  This was after a period of severe rain and flooding

 

 

 

 

The Des Plaines River originates in Wisconsin.  Its course is south and west through Illinois.  Through much of its course it parallels the Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Illinois Michigan Canal.   It merges with the Kankakee River near Channahon, Illinois to form the Illinois River.