“A bridge connecting Lincoln Park and Bucktown over the Chicago River will close this month until 2027 for an extensive restoration project.
“The Cortland Street bridge will close to car traffic Sept. 22 as construction gets underway. The bridge will be closed for 18-24 months, officials said.
“Work on the bridge will include new concrete-filled grating, timber sidewalks, railing, lighting and paint as well as structural work, according to information shared in Ald. Scott Waguespack’s (32nd) weekly newsletter. The bridge house will also be rehabilitated.
“Located in an area known for its industrial uses, the more-than-century-old bridge holds a significant role in Chicago bridge history, and it is a designated city landmark.
“‘Although the Cortland Street Bridge no longer functions as a movable bridge, it was the first Chicago Style Fixed Trunnion Bascule Bridge when it was originally built in 1902,’ according to a city press release from 2015. ‘The design was developed by City of Chicago engineers in the late 1890s. This model has been copied worldwide since.’ (Myers, Block Club Chicago, 9/5/25)
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Cortland Street Bridge Closing This Month Until 2027 For Restoration; The bridge closes to car traffic Sept. 22. Its sidewalk will remain open for a few additional months before also closing during the project, Quinn Myers, Block Club Chicago, 9/5/25
- Cortland Street Drawbridge Chicago Landmark Designation Report