Monroe Street Bridge, Bascule bridge in downtown Chicago, United States

Monroe Street Bridge is a bascule bridge over the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois, built by Burns & McDonnell. Its movable span lifts to let river traffic pass, and the crossing carries Monroe Street between the Near North Side and the Loop.

The Monroe Street Bridge is a bascule bridge over the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois, built by the engineering firm Burns & McDonnell. Burns & McDonnell later carried out renovation work on both the Monroe Street and Chicago Street bridge houses, the control centres for the bridge's operation.

The bridge links two distinct neighborhoods of Chicago and serves as a daily crossing for residents and visitors moving between areas. It shapes how people navigate the city and forms part of the everyday rhythm between the north and south sides.

You can cross on foot or by car, with both types of traffic accommodated throughout the day. The best time to cross is during daylight hours when traffic is steady and visibility is good.

The structure has counterweight mechanisms that allow the bridge to lift up and let large ships pass underneath. This lifting system is a visible feature that sets this crossing apart from ordinary bridges.