September 11, 2008 – Steel sheets will be installed under the Michigan Avenue Bridge starting this evening. It will be a noisy process that will eventually result in the first connection of the Chicago Riverwalk.

The Chicago Department of Transportation will be working Thursday through next Friday, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and yes, you read that correctly. The bridge will be closed, too.

42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly says he has “requested that CDOT make every effort to minimize noise and impact on neighboring residents and businesses.”

“Once this project is completed,” says Reilly, “I am confident it will provide long-lasting benefits to downtown Chicago and residents of the 42nd Ward.”

According to CDOT, crews will be taking steps to reduce noise and impact on traffic, but the vibratory hammer used to splice the steel sheets will produce a noise “that will likely impact neighboring buildings.”

Wendella Boats will provide shuttle service across the river while the bridge is closed. When completed by the end of the year, there will be an uninterrupted path under the bridges from Lake Michigan to Wabash Avenue.