Industrial History: Grand Avenue (Indiana Street) Bridge

(Old Bridge Hunter, Bridge Hunter, HAER IL-139, Historic Bridges, 3D Satellite including the approach on the west side)

Xavier Quintana posted
August 1975: cyclists are among the last to cross the Grand Avenue bridge before wrecking crews began dismantling the deteriorating structure. It was closed for almost 2 years while the old span was torn down and a new 4-lane concrete and steel bridge was constructed. Photo by Quentin Dodt (Vintage Tribune)
Patrick McBriartyGroup Admin This bridge was at the western approach and viaduct over the railroad tracks to the 1914 bascule bridge crossing the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Dennis DeBruler commented on Xavier's posting
A 1938 aerial view shows the tracks the viaduct was crossing.

The tracks were part of the Erie Street and Grand Avenue Yard.

As Historic Bridges points out, the swing bridge was replaced by a wider bascule bridge in 1915, but a wider viaduct to feed the bridge was not built until 50 years later. By the 1970s, the rail yards in the city that supported industries and passenger car service during the horse and buggy days were disappearing.

From Historic Bridges

Xavier Quintana posted
A 1958 view of Wolf Point with the Lake Street elevated train and bridge in foreground. Kinzie Street bridge is in the middle of the frame. (Vintage Tribune)
[Grand was the first viaduct over the C&NW Yards. Erie was the second viaduct.]

William Russ commented on a posting
Grand Avenue bridge

Ryan Anthony posted ten photos with the comment:

• 1976
• 600 W Grand Ave, Grand Avenue Bridge, near Grand Ave & Desplaines
Ten photos of the weary old Grand Avenue bridge in February of 1976, near Grand Ave & Desplaines in the West Town/River West neighborhood.
The rusted, deteriorating structure was scheduled to be replaced by a bridge more in tune with the needs of modern traffic. While the new structure would be wide and modern, it would lack the decorative touches in the support arches of the old span.
On August 27th, 1975, the star-studded Grand Avenue bridge closed to traffic for 2 years while the old span was torn down and a new 4-lane concrete and steel bridge was constructed.
The bridge was built in 1887 in the horse-and-buggy days when railroads were expanding and the city imposed restrictions on when and how long trains could block streets. So the railroads built bridges above the tracks with the understanding that they would maintain them.
Years later, when the Illinois Commerce Commission took over railroad regulation, the railways said they were no longer responsible for the bridges, according to Louis Koncza, chief engineer of the city Public Works Department.
When it became obvious that the Grand Avenue bridge needed to be replaced, the city had to go before the I.C.C. to ask that the railroad pay at least 50 percent of the cost.
Nevertheless, the project moved forward, and the bridge was dismantled and replaced. During the construction, Chicago Transit Authority and private vehicle traffic were rerouted.
On September 19th, 1977, the new western access ramp and Grand Avenue bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River finally reopened to traffic.
Photos courtesy of Jim Mescall, Chicago Sun-Times Collection, Chicago History Museum.

Ryan Anthony shared