Home

Kinzie Street Bridge

   

Advertisements:

Promotions:   Chicago's Bridges   By Nathan Holth, author of HistoricBridges.org, this book provides a discussion of the history and virtual tour of Chicago's movable bridges. Dozens of photos.   Available Now Direct From The Publisher! The 5th Annual Historic Bridge Weekend will be held in Iowa and organized by The BridgeHunter's Chronicles this year from August 9th through the 11th. Details are available here.

Bridge Documented: March 26, 2006 and 2011-2012

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

View Photos and Videos

View and Link To Maps

Key Facts

	Bridge Name	Facility Carried / Feature Intersected	Location	Structure Type	Construction Date and Builder/Engineer
	Kinzie Street Bridge	Kinzie Street Over North Branch Chicago River	Chicago: Cook County, Illinois	Metal Rivet-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Movable: Bascule (Fixed Trunnion) and Approach Spans: Metal Stringer (Multi-Beam), Fixed	1909 By Builder/Contractor: John J. Gallery and Engineer/Design: City of Chicago

Technical Facts

Rehabilitation Date	Main Span Length	Structure Length	Roadway Width	Main Spans	Approach Spans	NBI Number
1999	136.2 Feet (41.5 Meters)	195 Feet (59.4 Meters)	36 Feet (11 Meters)	1	2	16602826628

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

View Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) Documentation For This Bridge

HAER Data Pages, PDF

View A Modern Article Discussing Thomas Pihlfeldt

Built in 1909, this bridge is the only remaining single leaf Chicago bascule bridge from what is called the "first generation" design that is a through truss. All the other such bridges are double-leaf. Indeed, single-leaf bascule bridges are extremely rare among the movable highway bridges in Chicago, nearly all are double-leaf. In contrast, railroad bascule bridges are nearly always single leaf including the historic railroad bascule bridge that sits next to the Kinzie Street Bridge.

When time came to replace the old bridge at this location, a temporary bridge was built and opened to traffic December 11, 1907. By December 16, work to remove the old bridge had begun. Construction of the bridge seen today started with the driving of the substructure piles on January 23, 1908. By September 26, 1908 the substructure was completed to the point that superstructure erection could begin, although superstructure erection did not begin until October 15. The superstructure was completed and the bridge opened to traffic May 10, 1909. The bridge substructure was essentially complete by November 13. The substructure cost $99,058.57. The superstructure cost $100,691.73. The total cost of the entire bridge was $218,707.86. John J. Gallery was listed as the superstructure contractor, while the substructure contractor was Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company.

 Approximately three quarters of this bridge has been replaced, but replaced in-kind using built-up beams that have been specially made to replicate the original elements of the bridge. The portion that replaced was that portion that is opposite the mechanics of this single-leaf bascule bridge, the front portion seen in the above photograph, which was taken facing eastward. While the primary goal with any historic bridge should be to preserve as much original material as possible, whenever something is replaced, it should be the goal to replace in-kind with as accurate a replica as possible. While it would be nice to see a greater quantity of original material on this bridge, this is nevertheless a good example of how a bridge  beyond repair or nearly beyond repair might still be able to display the features which give it historic value. The only major shortcoming of the replacement is that standard high strength bolts were used instead of rivets. If rivets were used it appears it would be a perfect replication. From an aesthetic standpoint, the city could have partially simulated the appearance of rivets by using round head bolts which would make the bolts look more like rivets than the hex heads on the standard bolts the city used.

The photo below shows the rehabilitation/reconstruction of the bridge, specifically where the replicated section of the bridge is being put into place with assistance of a barge.

Above: This photo showing the heavy rehabilitation and reconstruction shows the portion of the bridge that is either completely or nearly completely made of new materials, which is the bascule leaf, being floated into place on a barge.

Above: When researching this bridge, you may come across historical photos (like the one seen in the advertisement and photo above) which show a mysterious bobtail swing bridge a short distance north of the Kinzie Street Bridge. This was the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Pail Railway Bridge, and this bridge and section of railroad line no longer exist.

Above: A photo of the bridge as it appeared in 1949.

Above: This photo showing bridge construction at a point where the bascule leaf is complete, but the deck is still being installed.

Historic Bridges of Chicago and Cook County Browse Bridges In Google Maps This special map has bridge markers colored by bridge movable type. Complete Bridge List

Chicago and Cook County are home to one of the largest collections of historic bridges in the country, and no other city in the world has more movable bridges. HistoricBridges.org is proud to offer the most extensive coverage of historic Chicago bridges on the Internet.

Chicago / Cook County Bridge News

May 15, 2013 - The Ashland Avenue Bridge over North Branch Chicago River has been recommended for Chicago Landmark designation by the Chicago Art Deco Society.

April 30, 2013 - Illinois Landmarks has included Chicago's Bascule Bridges as one of their Top 10 Most Endangered Historic Places. View The Official Page.

April, 2013 - The replacement of the outer trusses of the northern Wells Street Bridge bascule leaf is underway. The outer trusses of the southern bascule leaf has already been completed.

April 2013 - Spring Bridge Lifts Are Ongoing! The bridge lift schedule is available here.

Washington Boulevard Bridge - This bridge celebrates its 100th Anniversary on May 26, 1913! Click Here To View A Commemoration Article By ChicagoLoopBridges.com! (Alternate PDF Format)

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. The book includes dozens of full color photos. Only $9.95 U.S! ($11.95 Canadian). Order Now Direct From The Publisher!

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.

Photos and Videos: Kinzie Street Bridge

Available Photo Galleries and Videos

Click on a thumbnail or gallery name below to visit that particular photo gallery. If videos are available, click on a video name to view and/or download that particular video.

 

	Structure Overview Original / Full Size Photos	A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution.
	Structure Details Original / Full Size Photos	A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. For the best visual immersion and full detail, or for use as a desktop background, this gallery presents the photos for this bridge in the original digital camera resolution.
	Structure Overview Mobile Optimized Gallery	A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem (dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below. Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer
	Structure Details Mobile Optimized Gallery	A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. View the photos for this bridge in a reduced size which is useful for mobile/smartphone users, modem (dial-up) users, or those who do not wish to wait for the longer download times of the full-size photos. Alternatively, view this photo gallery using a popup slideshow viewer (great for mobile users) by clicking the link below. Browse Gallery With Popup Viewer
	Bumpercam: Westbound Crossing Full Motion Video	Note: The downloadable high quality version of this video (available on the video page) is well worth the download since it offers excellent 1080 HD detail and is vastly more impressive than the compressed streaming video. Streaming video of the bridge. Also includes a higher quality downloadable video for greater clarity or offline viewing.

View and Link To Maps

 

Home

Top