Chicago's Cortland Street Bridge to stay closed for years for complex restoration
The Cortland Street Bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River will not be reopening anytime soon, the Chicago Department of Transportation said.
In May, CDOT said a full structural assessment of the 125-year-old drawbridge would be completed in June. This month, CDOT said the assessment found that the bridge is no longer able to carry vehicular traffic safely, and the rehabilitation approach must be reevaluated.
CDOT said the restoration of the Cortland Street Bridge will take years, and it will remain closed to vehicles as CDOT goes through environmental review, engineering, and design work.
The bridge will stay open for cyclists traveling between Lincoln Park and Bucktown and its north sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians.
"It's been a lifeline for cyclists and walkers to get across," said cyclist Dustin Manker.
The construction site is even the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot in the middle of the street, but you won't find cars getting across anytime soon.
"We need this bridge. It's crazy because it's been more than one year," said driver Erinaldo Rodriquez.
The project is more complex than a typical bridge rehab effort because the Cortland Street Bridge is a first-generation trunnion bascule bridge, one of the earliest movable bridge designs developed in Chicago in the early 20th century.
The Cortland Street Bridge opened in 1902 and became a model for structures spanning waterways. The bridge was designated a Chicago landmark in 1991.
"I appreciate the fact that they are keeping the history of it and restoring it rather than making a new one ... that's cool to me," said Annie Ryzak, who works near the bridge, but adds that the timeline for the project is unfortunate.
Ald. Brain Hopkins (2nd) called out CDOT for its lack of a clear plan. Earlier this year, he introduced an ordinance requiring the department to develop a traffic plan before closing a bridge for more than 30 days.
Paul Ryzak, who docks his charter boat under the bridge, says his business has been negatively impacted by the construction.
"The construction's a problem. It makes it difficult for the customers to get here," he said. "We see cars turning around here all the time."
The Cortland Street Bridge rehab project began in September of last year. At the time, the closure was expected to last only a year and a half to two years.
The closures of the Cortland Street Bridge and two other bridges over the Chicago River at Lake Street and Chicago Avenue have put pressure elsewhere on the Near North Side, like busy North Avenue.
