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Photo by Steven Dahlman

(Above) Work on the Chicago Riverwalk west of Franklin Street on Friday. The tugboat Miss Sheila is docked at a construction barge on which a crane sits. The two-tone-brown Lake Street Bridge can be seen in the distance. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

Riverwalk construction passes Franklin Street

By Steven Dahlman

12-Dec-15 – Construction of Phase 3 of the Chicago Riverwalk finally made it to the west side of Franklin Street. The curved stretch, called “Boardwalk,” will connect Franklin Street to Lake Street. Until recently, it had been used mainly for storage.

Boardwalk is the longest of the Riverwalk “rooms” and it is intentionally the least designed, says the city, “to allow for creative development ideas to maximize opportunities at this location.”

Photo by Steven Dahlman Much of the current work is near the Wells Street Bridge. On Saturday, workers were scheduled to complete a part of the Riverwalk that runs under the bridge.

(Left) Riverwalk construction progress at “Jetty” between Wells and Franklin Streets. Franklin Street Bridge visible in distance at left. Merchandise Mart at right.

On Monday, drilling will start for a foundation west of the bridge. Most of this work will be done at night, according to Chicago Department of Transportation, to minimize impact on the CTA rail line. The sidewalk on the west side of the bridge is closed until December 23.

The Riverwalk will be finished, says CDOT, in fall 2016.

Photo by Steven Dahlman

(Above) “Swimming Hole” between LaSalle and Wells Streets on Friday. Wells Street Bridge at upper right.