Clark Street Bridge, Road bridge in downtown Chicago, United States
Clark Street Bridge is a road bridge spanning the Chicago River with a double-leaf bascule system that rises to allow boats to pass underneath. It provides multiple traffic lanes and pedestrian paths on both sides for travel between downtown and the north area.
The present structure was completed in 1929 and represents the eighth bridge built at this location since 1840, when a wooden floating bridge first crossed the river. Over a century, different designs were constructed here to accommodate river traffic.
The bridge links two busy neighborhoods and sees constant foot and vehicle traffic between the Loop and the North Side. It forms part of the movable bridge network that defined Chicago's growth as a river-dependent city.
Pedestrians find the easiest crossing during off-peak hours in early morning or evening when foot traffic is lighter. The bridge raises regularly for river traffic, so visitors should expect brief stops if crossing during midday hours.
The bridge features curved top beams and truss elements that match nearby Chicago bridges, creating a consistent architectural language across the river. These design details are not immediately obvious but reveal a thoughtful overall system for crossing the river.
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