The Clark Street Bridge, completed in 1929, is actually the eighth bridge to span the Chicago River at this location, highlighting the long history of this crossing
The Clark Street Bridge is a significant part of Chicago's history and infrastructure, spanning the Chicago River in downtown Chicago and connecting the Near North Side with the Loop via Clark Street.
The Clark Street Bridge is a bascule bridge, specifically a double-leaf Chicago-type trunnion bascule bridge. This "Chicago Style" is characterized by its leaves being suspended on axles (trunnions) with massive concrete counterweights located below the bridge, often in a riverbank pit. This design allows the bridge to open and close efficiently for river traffic.
The Clark Street Bridge has also made its way into popular culture, notably in Carl Sandburg's poem "Clark Street Bridge."
The Clark Street Bridge...
- Opened: July 10, 1929
- Clear Span: 215 feet
- Trunnion-to-Trunnion Span: 245 feet
- Leaf Weight: 1,400 tons
- Height above water:
20 feet
- Construction Cost (1929): $1.4 million
Bridge Tender Houses: Ornate Beaux-Arts styled bridge houses are located on the northwest and southeast corners, similar to those on the N. La Salle Street bridge. read more