BNSF/Santa Fe Bridge over Des Plaines River in Lyons, IL

(Satellite, BNSF/Santa Fe is the southern bridge. The northern bridge is the C&IW)

Bob Lalich Flickr, Apr 1987

ATSF Des Plaines River 4/87

This is the site of the original Chicago Portage which enabled small boats and canoes to go between the Great Lakes and Mississippi water systems. This geographic feature is the reason Chicago became a great transportation center.

 

MWRD posted on Oct 26, 2022
A view of the newly built Santa Fe Railroad bridge over the Des Plaines River between Lyons and Forest View with a passing train "...running full speed" on April 13, 1899.

Andy Zukowski posted
Santa Fe tracks near Lyons, Illinois overflowed by the Des Plaines River 1909

MWRD posted on Mar 4, 2022
Construction of the Santa Fe Railroad bridge over the Des Plaines River between Lyons and Forest View on November 15, 1898. The bridge was one of many the Sanitary District (now MWRD) built during construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. 

From the 47th Street Bridge, the Santa Fe Bridge is obscured by the C&WI Bridge.

Street View

HalstEd Pazdzior posted, this photo has been moved to
"BNSF/Santa Fe Bridge over Des Plaines River in Lemont, IL."