Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced that the reconstruction of the Harrison Street Viaduct, located between Canal Street and the Chicago River, is complete. The bridge will reopen to traffic on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

The reconstruction involved removing the old bridge structure and viaduct and replacing them with a new reinforced concrete deck supported by steel beams and piers anchored to the foundation. According to CDOT, these upgrades restore the viaduct’s structural integrity, bring it up to current standards, and extend its service life. The project also included full roadway resurfacing, installation of ADA-compliant sidewalks, and protected bike lanes in each direction to improve safety and access for all users.

CDOT noted that this was a complex project because the viaduct spans directly over rail lines connecting to Chicago Union Station. "CDOT and its partners worked closely with Amtrak, Metra, Union Station, property owners, and community stakeholders to ensure rail operations continued without interruption during construction and accessibility of surrounding businesses was maintained to the fullest extent possible," according to CDOT.

This project is part of a broader initiative by CDOT to rehabilitate viaducts above Union Station and its rail lines. Currently, CDOT is engaged in a multi-phase effort reconstructing four Canal Street viaducts between Taylor Street and Madison Street. These serve as a major corridor into Chicago’s Central Business District and function as the roof of Union Station. More information about this work can be found at https://cdotcanalprojects.com/.