WIN: Historic Lake Street Bridge Begins Major Restoration Project

Lake Street Bridge, 1916, Engineer John Ernst, double-deck, double-leaf, fixed trunnion bascule bridge. Photo credit: Gabriel X. Michael
Lake Street Bridge, 1916, Engineer John Ernst, double-deck, double-leaf, fixed trunnion bascule bridge. Photo credit: Lynn Becker
Lake Street Bridge, 1916, Engineer John Ernst, double-deck, double-leaf, fixed trunnion bascule bridge. Photo credit: Gabriel X. Michael

“The Lake Street Bridge will close Oct. 6 for a years-long rehabilitation project. It’s the latest city bridge to be shut down for major construction work.

“The 109-year-old bridge will be under construction until January 2028, according to the the Chicago Department of Transportation. The bridge, which stretches over the south branch of the Chicago River, will fully close for cars and pedestrians.

“CTA service on the Green and Pink lines will continue while the bridge is closed except for two shutdowns planned for fall 2026 and spring 2027, according to the transportation department.

“The renovations were originally planned for 2024.

“The improvements for the bridge include replacing the bridge’s deck, substructures and CTA tracks, and rehabilitating the bridge’s houses and mechanical and electrical systems.” (Washburn, Chicago Sun-Times, 9/28/25)

Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times