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Kedzie Avenue Marquette Park South Bridge

Kedzie Avenue Marquette Park South Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: September 8, 2011

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Kedzie Avenue Over Marquette Park Lagoon
Location
Chicago: Cook County, Illinois: United States
Structure Type
Concrete T-Beam, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1933 By Builder/Contractor: E. J. Albrecht Company of Chicago, Illinois and Engineer/Design: H. C. Taylor
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
44.0 Feet (13.4 Meters)
Structure Length
54.0 Feet (16.5 Meters)
Roadway Width
66 Feet (20.12 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
16076004380

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

This bridge no longer exists!

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

This historic bridge was demolished and replaced in April 2012!

View The Memorandum of Agreement For The Demolition of this Historic Bridge

Daniel Ryan

This bridge is one of two nearly identical bridges that carry Kedzie Avenue over the lagoon system that winds through the park. Kedzie Avenue travels right through the middle of Marquette Park, and as a result these bridges form something of a centerpiece for the park. These reinforced concrete t-beam bridges are beautifully formed with substantial architectural detailing on both the railing system, abutments, and the outside faces of the superstructure. Two different bronze plaques are present on on each bridge. One details the county personnel involved in the construction of the bridge while the other plaque focuses on the engineers and contractors involved with the bridge. The historic integrity of these bridges appears to be excellent with no major alterations to the structural design or the architectural detailing present.

Although both bridges were built at the exact same time, this southern bridge appears to be in poorer structural condition. It has been reduced to two lane which travel only on the eastern side of the bridge, likely as a result of this deterioration.

Despite the historic and aesthetic significance of the Kedzie Avenue Bridges, both are slated for demolition and replacement. This is extremely disappointing since it will eliminate the beauty and continuity currently seen in  Marquette Park where all existing bridges appear to have at least some level of historic value. The consultant claims that the architectural features of the existing bridges will be "maintained." While replicating historic and architectural features of a historic bridge may be an acceptable route if the bridge in question is truly beyond repair, it is not apparent that these bridges have deteriorated to this point. In addition, it is doubtful that the reinforced concrete t-beam structure type will be replicated. Some sort of pre-stressed concrete box beam bridge is more likely. The idea of a historic bridge is that it is old and maintains some level of its original design and materials. The idea of preservation is to improve the physical condition of a bridge while attempting to maintain as much original material and design as possible. It is unfortunate that this type of rehabilitation has not been selected for these bridges.

Below is the text regarding the replacement project appearing on the Infrastructure Engineering website.

Infrastructure Engineering, Inc., as a prime consultant, is providing structural and civil engineering services for the superstructure replacement and repairs of two bridges on Kedzie Avenue over the lagoons in historic Marquette Park. The final design will recognize the historic nature of the area and maintain the architectural features of the existing bridges while improving the safety for the public. IEI will provide engineering services to complete construction documents including structural, roadway and erosion control plans. IEI will also inspect and replace the superstructure.

A video of the demolition and replacement was produced by the Chicago DOT and is available at YouTube here, or an archived version is here for download.

Daniel Ryan, listed as a member of the road and bridge committee on the plaque for this bridge, later became President of the Board of County Commissioners.

County Plaque

BUILT 1933 BY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF COOK COUNTY

PRESIDENT
EMMETT WHEALAN

ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE

HOMER J. BYRD
DANIEL RYAN

WILLIAM BUSSE
MRS. E. J. FLEMING
FRANK J. KASPER
MAURICE F. KAVANAGH
PETER M. KELLEY
WALTER J. LA BUY
CHAIRMAN
VICE-CHAIRMAN

MARY MCENERNEY
GEORGE A. MILER
MRS. G. E. PLUMB
AMELIA SEARS
JOHN E. TRAEGER
CHARLES H. WEBER

Construction Plaque

KEDZIE AVENUE
MARQUETTE PARK SOUTH BRIDGE

SECTION 053 - 2121 - M.F.T.

STATE AID ROUTE 53

COOK COUNTY

BUILT 1933

E. J. ALBRECHT CO.
CONTRACTOR

H. C. TAYLOR
BRIDGE ENGINEER

GEORGE A. QUINLAN
SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS

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General Chicago / Cook County Bridge Resources

Chicago's Bridges - By Nathan Holth, author of HistoricBridges.org, this book provides a discussion of the history of Chicago's movable bridges, and includes a virtual tour discussing all movable bridges remaining in Chicago today. Despite this broad coverage, the book is presented in a compact format that is easy to take with you and carry around for reference on a visit to Chicago. The book includes dozens of full color photos. Only $9.95 U.S! ($11.95 Canadian). Order Now Direct From The Publisher! or order on Amazon.

Chicago River Bridges - By Patrick T. McBriarty, this is a great companion to Holth's book shown above. This much larger book offers an extremely in-depth exploration of Chicago's movable highway bridges, including many crossings that have not existed for many years. Order Now Direct From The Publisher! or order on Amazon.

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Overview of Chicago Bascule Bridges (HAER Data Pages, PDF)

Chicago Loop Bridges - Chicago Loop Bridges is another website on the Internet that is a great companion to the HistoricBridges.org coverage of the 18 movable bridges within the Chicago Loop. This website includes additional information such as connections to popular culture, overview discussions and essays about Chicago's movable bridges, additional videos, and current news and events relating to the bridges.

Additional Online Articles and Resources - This page is a large gathering of interesting articles and resources that HistoricBridges.org has uncovered during research, but which were not specific to a particular bridge listing.

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Kedzie Avenue Marquette Park South Bridge

 

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Maps and Links: Kedzie Avenue Marquette Park South Bridge

This historic bridge has been demolished. This map is shown for reference purposes only.

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HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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