Chicago spring bridge lifts to accommodate boat passage start April 19

Tom Carney Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) | Chicago City Website

By Chicago City Wire

Apr 18, 2025

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced that spring bridge lifts will commence on Saturday, April 19. The activity involves the raising of 27 bridges spanning from South Ashland Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive to facilitate the passage of recreational boats.

Annually in spring and fall, CDOT operates the movable bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River. The bridges are lifted on Saturdays and Wednesdays to allow boats to travel to and from storage yards. Each bridge is raised individually, taking approximately 8 to 12 minutes per lift. The series of lifts begins with the Ashland Avenue Bridge and continues to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

During the bridge lifts, traffic will be temporarily stopped. CDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes or wait until the bridges are down. Motorists are urged to stay alert, adhere to posted signs and signals, and exercise caution near the bridge lifts to safeguard the crews working there.

Bridge lifts are scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. The upcoming Spring 2025 schedule is as follows:

- Saturday, April 19

- Wednesday, April 23

- Saturday, April 26

- Wednesday, April 30

- Saturday, May 3

- Wednesday, May 7

- Saturday, May 10

- Wednesday, May 14

- Saturday, May 17

- Wednesday, May 21

- Wednesday, May 28