La Salle Street Bridge

La Salle Street Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that spans the Chicago River, connecting the Near North Side with the Loop district. The structure features four control houses that manage the machinery for raising the two movable bridge leaves, allowing tall boats to pass underneath.

Construction finished in 1928 as part of the city's plan to improve connections between the Loop and northern Chicago neighborhoods. This movable design reflected the engineering advances of the time and the city's commitment to supporting both road and water traffic.

The Chicago Municipal Device, an inverted Y symbol, appears on the mansard roofs of the bridge's four control houses, representing the three branches of the river.

Heavy vehicle traffic crosses here daily, and the bridge lifts regularly to allow river traffic to pass through. Be prepared for potential delays if you cross when the bridge mechanism is operating, which happens most frequently during the boating season.

Most movable bridges in Chicago have only two control houses, but this one has four, making it stand out among the city's river crossings. This extra pair of control structures allows for more precise operation of the lifting mechanism.

Location: Illinois

Official opening: 1928

GPS coordinates: 41.88750,-87.63250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40