Wabash Avenue Bridge

The Wabash Avenue Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge crossing the Chicago River, connecting the Near North Side with the Loop business district. The steel structure features reinforced beams and spans approximately 345 feet in length and 90 feet in width.

The Ketler-Elliott Company completed construction in December 1930 during the interwar period of rapid urban growth. The distinctive truss railing design was typical of bridge engineering from that era.

The bridge carries the name of a prominent local newspaper columnist since 1985, showing how journalists shape the identity of city landmarks. This naming reflects the strong connection between the media world and Chicago's public spaces.

Pedestrians and vehicles can cross the bridge during daylight hours, while the lift mechanisms are activated at certain times to allow river traffic to pass. It is best to explore the area in good weather and note that traffic can be heavy during peak hours.

Two matching control houses with Indiana limestone walls and copper-clad roofs stand at opposite corners of the bridge. These symmetrical buildings were built to operate and monitor the complex lift mechanisms.

Location: Illinois

Official opening: 1930

GPS coordinates: 41.88790,-87.62680

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:48