The Van Buren Bridge over the Chicago River, a major downtown travel connection to and from the Loop, reopened to traffic this morning as a major rehabilitation by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) was completed on budget and a full month ahead of schedule.

“The Van Buren Bridge is an important piece of our infrastructure, and this reconstruction project will ensure this historic bridge can continue to serve residents as they travel to and from work for generations to come,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I thank Chicagoans for their patience during the construction and congratulate the CDOT construction crews for a job well done, and a job completed ahead of schedule.”

The 57-year-old movable bascule bridge, which was built in 1956, was restored with a new roadway deck; repaired girders, floor beams and lateral bracing.

The $2.5 million project was performed by CDOT in-house construction staff. The project is funded through the Chicago tax increment financing (TIF) program, and is part of Building a New Chicago, Mayor Emanuel’s infrastructure investment program. The Mayor visited with CDOT iron workers this week as they completed the work.

Since Mayor Emanuel took office in May 2011, CDOT has either commenced or completed nearly $650 million worth of bridge construction projects:

• Halsted Tied-arch Bridge, south of Division: $18 million (October 2010 - May 2011)
• 130^th & Torrence Intersection Reconstruction: $142 million (May 2011 - May 2015)
• Torrence Lift Bridge: $30 million (December 2011 - December 2012)
• Halsted Bridge, north of Chicago Avenue: $7 million (January 2012 - May 2012)
• Fullerton Bridge over the Lincoln Park Lagoon: $12 million (February 2012 - December 2013)
• Kedzie Bridges over Marquette Park Lagoons: $6 million (March - November 2012)
• Wells Street Bridge over the Chicago River: $50 million (October 2012 - November 2013)
• Lake Shore Drive Ramp at Michigan Avenue: $2 million (October - November 2012)
• North South Wacker Drive and the Congress Parkway Interchange Projects: $330 million (completed December 2012)
• Kedzie Bridge over the Ship & Sanitary Canal: $5 million (April - November 2013) • Ashland over Pershing Viaduct Removal: $13 million (November 2013 – November 2014)
• 35^th Street Pedestrian Bridge: $22 million (construction started Spring 2014)
• Van Buren Bridge over Chicago River: $2.5 million (May – October 2014)
• Division Street Bridge, west of Halsted: $6 million (June – September 2014)
• 18^th Street Bascule Bridge: $5 million (construction starting December 2014)

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