During a recent visit to the Utica, Il area spring of 2017, we came  across this building.  According to our research, this was a power substation for the Chicago, Ottawa and Peoria Interurban Railway.

 

 

 

 

     In the Channahon area, the chief engineer  of the  I and M Canal  William Gooding was faced with a decision as how to handle the crossing of the canal and the DuPage River.  In other areas, this situation was handled by building an aqueduct to carry the canal over the intersecting streams.    Gooding decided to construct a dam across the DuPage River.    This was built in 1846–1848.   It was a timber crib structure. The dam produced a stable water elevation of the river.  It forced water into the canal.  Locks were constructed on each side of the dam.  (Locks 6 and 7).  The crossing problem was handled and water was provided to the canal.

   In 1877, the dam was replaced with a structure built of quarried stone. The cost of construction was $3,207.24.   The dam was repaired in 1918, 1920, 1925.    The current dam was built in 1935 by the CCC.  Total cost was $14,647. The spillwater on the dam created a man made waterfall.  It is 165 feet long and 11.5 feet high.

     
 

 

The current bridge over the Illinois River  at  IL 23, IL 71 in Ottawa is known as the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.  It was built between 1981–1982.  It was a replacement for the Hilliard Bridge.  This was built in 1932-1933.  It was named after a former mayor of Ottawa.   The Hilliard Bridge was a 3 span through truss with a cantilevered center span.  It had pedestrian walks on both sides.  The largest span was 500 feet.  The total bridge length was 1,075.8 feet.

Before the Hilliard Bridge was the Ottawa Wagon Bridge.  It was located over the Illinois River between 1910-1932.

 

 

The current bridge is typically modern.  It is a four lane bridge.  It is a steel plate girder with concrete decks.  The bridge spans measure 385 feet, 510 feet, and 305 feet.  The bridge length is 1,317 feet.  Its width was 57 feet.  Its height above the water is 47 feet.

    The Sheridan Road Bridge crosses over the North Shore Channel and the Wilmette Pumping Station.  It was constructed in 1910.  The builder was unknown.  Chief Engineer was G.M. Wilson.  Chief Electrical Engineer was Edward Ellicott.

     The bridge has 5 main spans.  Main span length is 77 feet.  Structure length is 210 feet.  Roadway width is 46 feet.  The bridge is concrete encased deck plate girder.

 

This is also known as the William Stratton State Park State Bridge

This is not an historical bridge.  It crosses the I and M Canal  in Morris in Stratton State Park.    It has an historical appearance.  It is a steel stringer bridge built in 1971.  It has wooden deck and rails. Its largest span is 33.1 feet.  Total length is 89.9 feet.  Deck width is 21.3 feet.

Deck Inspection as of 6/2011

Deck Condition  Condition Rating                                                    Poor 4 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating                                                     Satisfactory 6 out of 9

Substructure Condition Rating                                                         Satisfactory 6 out of 9

Appraisal:  Structurally deficient

This is  a bridge over the I and M Canal in Grundy County.  The nearest adjacent road is Cemetery Road.   I accessed the area in August of 2017.    It was an approximate one mile hike

The bridge was built in 1910.  It was built by the American Bridge Company.  The bridge is a pony/through plate girder.   It was originally owned by the E J and E.  Railroad.  It is now owned by the CNRR.    The bridge is open.  It is  70 feet in length.

Bridge currently is obscured by overgrowth of bushes and trees.  I have included a picture of the bridge that is currently available on the internet.  It is listed below.

   This blog was revised on 12/31/2017

 The Roosevelt Road (12th Street) Bridge (200 West; 1200 South) crosses the south  branch Chicago River east to west 2.9 miles from the river mouth.   The current bridge is the fourth bridge at this location.  It opened on November 22, 1930.  It was extensively rehabbed in 1995. It is a metal rivet connected Pratt deck truss movable double leaf bascule (fixed trunnion) and approach spans: metal stringer ( multi beam ) fixed.  The largest span is 204 feet.  Total length is 257.4 feet.  Deck width is 71.8 feet.  There is one main span and 2 approach spans.

     The bridge is unique for its round bridge keeper houses.

     The bridge was designed by the Division of Bridges and Viaducts City of Chicago.  The superstructure contractor was Kettler Elliot Erection Company Chicago. Fitzsimmons and Connell Dredge and Dock Company was the contractor for the east substructure .  M.E.White Company was the western substructure contractor.  Norwood and Noonan Company was the electric contractor.Bridge tender houses contractor was C.E. Carson Company.     Construction costs were $2,050,116

       In the 1850’s, property owners in the area around 12th Street raised $2000 to build a bridge across the south branch Chicago.  They received both city approval and a $1000 appropriation.  The new bridge opened in the fall of 1855.  It was a wood hand operated pontoon swing bridge.  The designer is unknown. It was constructed by City Superintendent John Van Osdel.  This First 12th Street Bridge was removed in 1868.

     In 1868, the south branch was widened.  The new second 12th Street Bridge opened on April 28, 1868.  The bridge was constructed under the Supervision of James K. Thompson, City Supervisor of Streets.  It was a swing hand operated wood and iron bridge.  It had an improved turntable and refined Howe truss design.

     It was designed and built by Fox and Howard.  Construction costs were $44,500.  The bridge was removed In 1887.

     The third 12th bridge opened in June, 1887.  It was an all steel electric powered swing bridge.  It was the first all steel bridge built by the City of Chicago.  It was 220 feet long and 49 feet wide. Designer was unknown.  Superstructure Contractor was Chicago Forge and Bolt Company.  Substructure Contractor was FitzSimons and Connell Company.   Construction costs were $101,010.  There was an extensive system of viaducts on either side of the bridge.

     In 1889, the bridge was involved in a crash with a passing vessel.

     In 1899, the bridge was replanked and replaced

     In 1902, there were upgrades of the protection piers, boiler machinery and floor beams and stringers.

     In 1908, a new danger signal system was installed; locks, spider rods and the engines were serviced.  Boilers were overhauled.

    In 1910, the steam plant was rebuilt and boilers were overhauled.

     In 1913, the iron works were repainted  Nine clumps of 13 pilings were added to the protection piers.  The boilers were overhauled.

     In 1920, the bridge was closed and later removed.
     Current bridge inspection as of 10/2011

Deck Condition Rating.    Good.   7 out of 9

Superstructure Condition Rating   Satisfactory 6 out of 9

Sub structure Condition Rating. Fair. 5 out of 9