Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced that it will begin rehabilitation work on the Lake Street Bascule Bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River starting October 6, 2025. The bridge, which is located between Canal Street and Wacker Drive, is 109 years old and serves as an important route for transit, vehicles, pedestrians, and river traffic into Chicago’s Central Business District. The construction project is scheduled to be completed by January 2028.

During the rehabilitation period, the bridge will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. However, Green and Pink Line CTA rail service will continue to operate across the bridge except for two planned shutdowns in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. CDOT stated that more information about these service interruptions will be shared before they occur.

Vehicle detours have been established for both directions: eastbound Lake Street traffic will use Desplaines Street to Washington Street to Franklin Street back to Lake Street; westbound traffic will follow Wacker Drive to Madison Street to Jefferson Street returning to Lake Street. Pedestrians will be rerouted via Canal Street and Wacker Drive using Randolph Street.

For additional details and a map of the project area, CDOT directs interested parties to visit its project website.

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