BRIDGE LIFTS OVER THE CHICAGO RIVER
To accommodate sail boats and other tall vessels traveling between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Chicago's bridges open approximately 40 times a year from April to November. Powered by just a small 108 horsepower motor, the gears turn and the bridges rise & lower.
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N. Michigan Avenue Bridge lowering
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Gearworks for the N. Michigan Avenue Bridge
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Each year, in the spring and fall, Chicago Dept of Transportation raises the movable bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River on a twice-weekly schedule on Saturdays and Wednesdays to accommodate recreational boats traveling to and from their storage yards. During these “boat runs,” the bridges are typically raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. A total of 27 bridges are lifted in succession between Lake Shore Drive and the Ashland Avenue Bridge on the South Branch.
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N. Wabash Avenue Bridge raising
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N.State Street Bridge raising
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N.State Street Bridge lowering
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N. Dearborn Street Bridge raising
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N. Wells Street Bridge raising
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N. Wells Street Bridge lowering
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N. Franklin Street Bridge lowering
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W. Lake Street Bridge raising
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