Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Bridges over North Shore Channel

From north to south:
Maple Avenue/Hill Street: (Satellite)
Oakton Avenue: (no Archived Bridge Hunter; Satellite)
Devon Avenue: (Satellite)
Foster Avenue: (no Archived Bridge Hunter; Satellite)
Irving Park Road: (no Archived Bridge Hunter; Satellite)

Building bridges across the channel had to be a significant fraction of the cost of digging the North Shore Channel.

Linden


MWRD posted
A view looking southwest at the Linden Avenue Bridge over the North Shore Channel in Wilmette, Illinois, showing work on the bridge struts on August 29, 1910, three months before channel construction was complete.
Victor StLawrence What is the average depth of the channel?
The North Shore Channel is generally between 5 - 7 feet deep when the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) is at it’s typical operating height. At some points, it can go as deep as 10 feet and as shallow as 3 feet. You may learn more about the CAWS here: https://mwrd.org/chicago-area-waterway-system
MWRD posted again
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Maple Avenue/Hill Street


MWRD posted
The bridge at Hill Street (now Maple) over the North Shore Channel in Wilmette, viewed looking east after it was opened for traffic on March 2, 1909.
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Isabella Street

 
MWRD posted
A view to the northwest showing workers on the east end of the Isabella Bridge over the North Shore Channel in Evanston on April 4, 1924. 
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Oakton Avenue


MWRD posted
A view to the north showing work on a foundation for the Oakton Avenue bridge over the North Shore Channel in Skokie, Illinois, on July 12, 1909. The North Shore Channel was built by the MWRD between 1907 and 1910 and is a part of the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS), which includes dams, locks, port facilities and waterways. The MWRD controls the flow and water level in the CAWS to achieve efficient drainage in dry and wet weather, prevent discharges to Lake Michigan and ensure safe passage of commercial and recreational navigation. The majority of the CAWS is comprised of manmade canals such as the North Shore Channel, Cal-Sag Channel and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The rest are formerly natural streams that have been dredged, straightened, widened, realigned, and otherwise modified to facilitate the conveyance of the MWRD’s treated water, commercial navigation and flood control. Learn more about the history and management of the Chicago Area Waterway System here ⬇️⚓🐢
https://mwrd.org/chicago-area-waterway-system

When I looked at a satellite image, I noticed that the bridge is significantly wider than the street. I presume that is to have more lanes of traffic crossing McCormick Blvd. during a green light. If I ever get up that way again, I need to use the rowing dock to get a photo of the underside of the bridge. I'm currently guessing that I should use the label "bridgeGirderConcrete" instead of "bridgeGirderSteel".
Satellite
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Devon Avenue


MWRD posted
A view of a new fence and grading along Devon Avenue in Chicago looking west towards the bridge over the North Shore Channel on June 4, 1925. 
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Foster Avenue


MWRD posted
A view to the east showing material and workers on the deck of the Foster Avenue bridge over the North Shore Channel on August 13, 1921.

Street View, Jun 2011

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Irving Park Road


MWRD posted
A view of Irving Park Road looking east towards the bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River in Chicago on April 8, 1903.




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