On February 15th, we hosted a webinar to share updates on Infrastructure and Development projects in the North Branch.

The presentation featured information about the replacement of the two bridges on Division Street, replacement of the Chicago Avenue Bridge and the Chicago-Halsted Viaduct, and the Cortland Street Bridge rehabilitation project.

Please find below key points as well as a full recording of the webinar. Next week, we will answer any questions that we didn’t have time to address during the Q & A portion of the webinar.

Soliman Khudeira, Section Chief, Major Projects, from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) shared updates about the replacement of the Division Street bridges. Here are the highlights:

• The project will improve a mile of roadway on Division Street and also includes removal and replacement of the bridges over the Chicago River and the canal.
• There will be general roadway improvements made as well as protected bike lanes going east and west on Division Street. The three intersections that will be modernised are Elston Avenue, North Branch Street, and Halsted Street. There will also be a new traffic signal at Hickory Avenue and the addition of left turn lanes.
• The design phase is expected to be completed in Q2 of 2024, construction beginning in Q3 of 2024, and the entire project finished by Q4 of 2026.

Soliman Khudeira from CDOT also spoke about the replacement of the Chicago Avenue Bridge and the Chicago/Halsted Viaduct:

• The project area for the replacement of the Chicago Avenue Bridge is from Green Street (west) to Kingsbury Street (east).
• The project area for the replacement of the Chicago/Halsted Viaduct is from Ancona Street (south) to the Chicago River (north).
• The project scope involves replacing the Chicago Avenue and Halsted Viaduct and Chicago Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River.
• There will not be a detour during construction; a temporary bridge will be constructed.
• Traffic signal improvements will be made at these intersections: Chicago/Halsted, Larrabee Street, and Kingsbury Street.
• Construction is expected to begin during Q3 of 2024 and be completed by the Q4 of 2026.

Charlene Howell, Project Engineer, at CDOT shared the following information about the Cortland Street Bridge Rehabilitation:

• The Cortland Street Bridge was built in the early 1900s and is the oldest Bascule bridge in Chicago.
• The project scope includes replacing the deck and steel floor system and counterweights. It will also repair tress degeneration, rehabilitate the bridge house, repair the handrails and upgrade the lighting.
• This project will retain the character of this historic bridge but deteriorated materials will be replaced. The project is intended to add at least 40 years of service life to the bridge.
• The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic during construction; however, one sidewalk and one bike lane will remain open for people walking and biking. If a detour becomes necessary for bikes and pedestrians, it would be directed toward Webster Avenue and then back down to Ashland or Clybourn.
• Currently, construction is scheduled to begin in Q3 of 2024, and the estimated timeline from start to finish is 12-15 months. Barriers will be up to protect the bike lanes during construction and will return to their current status post-construction.

We are committed to keeping our businesses and community members informed about upcoming projects so please look for updates on our blog and social media, and subscribe to our newsletter.

Image credit: Chicago Department of Transportation