A new interim bridge at Division Street over the Chicago River North Branch Canal opened to traffic this afternoon two weeks ahead of schedule.

It replaced a century-old bridge that was demolished this summer. Built in 1903, the original double-leaf bascule movable bridge had reached the end of its useful life, and due to its deteriorated condition, was in need of immediate replacement.

This summer, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) demolished the old structure and replaced it with a fixed-span interim bridge until a permanent bascule one is constructed in the future.

“The historic bridge had been in service for more than a century as a key transportation link across Goose Island for cars, trains, bikes and pedestrians,” said CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld. “The interim bridge will serve as a replacement until a permanent moveable bridge can be built.”

CDOT had closed Division and rerouted traffic around the construction site. The closure was expected to last until mid-October, but opened two weeks ahead of schedule today.

# # #