CHICAGO – Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined Alderman Sophia King (4th), the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and members of the Bronzeville community to celebrate the opening of the 43^rd Street Pedestrian Bridge. The new, fully accessible pedestrian and bicycle bridge over South DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the Metra Electric and Canadian National Railway tracks provides a vital link for South Side residents to access Chicago’s lakefront.    

"This ribbon cutting is an extraordinary example of all levels of government working together to invest in and build our City's infrastructure in historically disinvested communities," said Mayor Lightfoot. "Thank you to our federal and state partners for funding this fully accessible bridge that will improve connections between the Bronzeville and Kenwood neighborhoods and the lakefront. Whether it's commuting to their job, school, parks, or other cultural destinations, bridges like the one we're celebrating today are critical to helping residents and visitors move around the City and experience everything our 77 neighborhoods offer." 

The new bridge is fully ADA accessible, with ramps to accommodate people using bicycles, wheelchairs, and emergency vehicles. It replaces the previous deteriorated and non-ADA compliant pedestrian bridge at 43rd Street. The $36M project was funded through a combination of federal and state funding. 

“Under Gov. Pritzker’s leadership, we’re investing in infrastructure, improving safety, and enhancing mobility by providing more options for bicyclists and pedestrians at the local level,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This project will benefit the community, South Side residents, and visitors for decades to come.” 

The 43rd Street Pedestrian Bridge is the fourth of five new or rebuilt bridge projects undertaken by CDOT that are making the City’s lakefront more easily accessible to residents of Greater Bronzeville and Kenwood neighborhoods. It features a similar design to the 41st Street Bridge, which was completed in 2018. Both spans were designed by AECOM with Cordogan, Clark & Associates and feature inclined arch mono-truss structures supporting large, graceful S-curves that echo the curves of the walkways in Burnham Park. The prime contractor was FH Paschen. 

“CDOT is excited to celebrate the completion of this project that will greatly improve access to and from Chicago’s lakefront for Bronzeville residents of all ages and levels of mobility,” said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi. “Thanks to our federal and state partners for supporting this project and for investing in infrastructure improvements that improve quality of life for Chicagoans.”  

See a video of the new 43^rd Street Pedestrian Bridge here.  

###