The State Street Bridge is set to reopen this Friday after being closed for nearly a year due to emergency repairs, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Originally constructed in 1949, the State Street Bridge was one of four bridges closed for repairs or replacement over the past year.
Before the closure, nearly 7,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily, with about one-tenth of those being trucks, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
These closures have caused significant inconvenience for commuters and have led to complaints from some City Council members, who have urged the Transportation Department to provide greater transparency regarding planned bridge closures.
CDOT is reopening State Street Bridge this week
The repairs to the State Street Bridge included:
- Rehabilitation of the bridge’s center locks
- Replacement of the center break that damaged the roadway in extreme heat
- Improved alignment of the bridge leaves
- Repair of steel elements at the center of the bridge, including floor beams and bracing
- Structural repairs to the State Street viaduct
- Replacement of the viaduct sidewalk
Once the State Street Bridge reopens, the city will have at least three ongoing bridge replacements. The Chicago Avenue Bridge is not scheduled to reopen until December, while the Cortland Street Bridge may remain closed until September 2027. Additionally, the Lake Street Bridge is not expected to reopen until January 2028.
