Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the opening early today of the new 18thStreet Bridge over the Chicago River, an important link that serves the city’s near south side, including the South Loop and Chinatown. The opening of the newly reconstructed span across the South Branch of the Chicago River provides an important alternative to Roosevelt Rd. and Cermak Rd. The $5.8 million project was completed in four months.

“This is a great example of the types of vital infrastructure investments we are making to rebuild Chicago and lay the groundwork for success in the 21st Century,” Mayor Emanuel said. “We are working in every corner of the city – repaving streets, repairing viaducts, replacing water mains and sewers - to give Chicagoans the city they deserve.”

“The 18th Street Bridge is an important piece of Chicago’s transportation network serving the South Loop, Chinatown and the near South Side,” CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said. “This project makes it possible for people and goods to move easily through these communities, and sets the stage for them to continue to thrive and grow.”

The 48-year-old movable bascule bridge was fully restored with the construction of a new roadway and sidewalk decks;installation of a new railing; the repair of the truss, floor beams and lateral bracing; and upgraded electrical and navigational lighting.

The project was funded through the Chicago tax increment financing (TIF) program, and is part of Building a New Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s infrastructure renewal program.

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)
• 130th & 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)
• 35th 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)
• 18th Street Bascule Bridge: $5.8 million (December 2014 – April 2015)

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