Chicago River Bridges | South Branch Bridges | North Branch Bridges | Main Channel Bridges
Listed below are all the bridges that were built on the South Branch of the Chicago River from Roosevelt Road (12th Street) to Lake Street. There were also two tunnels that went under the river at Lake and Washington Streets.
During the time span of 1839 to present there were 49 bridges built.
Chicago River’s South Branch in 1898
Taylor/Terminal Street Bridges
Van Buren Street Bridges & Tunnel
Notes:
Adams #2 moved to Taylor Street in 1889.
Madison #3 moved to Archer Avenue in 1875.
Madison #4 moved to Washington Street in 1891.
Washington #1 moved to Slip A at 22nd and Ashland in 1907.
Randolph #3 moved to North Avenue in 1856.
Looking north from the 12th Street (Roosevelt Road) Bridge, the photo shows the former bascule railroad bridge (a Scherzer Rolling Lift type) that crossed the Chicago River at an angle north of 12th and south of Taylor Street, with the old swing span (in the open position) that it eventually replaced visible below the raised bascule leaves. In the background are the raised bascule spans of the Taylor Street Bridge (road bridge).
The same bridge as above.
Halsted Street Lift Bridge #3
1893
This was one of the first modern vertical lift bridges constructed in the United States. Designed by J. A. L. Waddell,
Halsted River Bridge #3
1915
Does anyone have any information about the old Kinzie St bridge? It still stands but is in the upright position on the eastern shore just off Wolfs Point. I am hoping to find out more about one of the builders, a company named Kelly and Atkinson. Any help would be greatly appreciated !!!
Jason R Thomas
This railroad bascule bridge the Kinzie Street was designed by the Strauss Bascule bridge Company built in 1908 and fabricated by the Great Dredge and Dock Company along with Toledo Massillon Bridge Company and William H Finley