Wells Street Bridge opens after one year and $50 million

21-Nov-13 – A yearlong, $50 million project to rejuvenate the Wells Street Bridge was officially completed on Thursday as Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly, and other officials reopened the Chicago River bridge to traffic at 6 a.m. (Left) The Wells Street Bridge on its first day back in service.

Pedestrians, bicycles, CTA trains, and other vehicles were back on a new bridge with an old look. Although completely renovated, the style is reminiscent of how the bridge looked when it opened in 1922. The old bridge, said Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein, “had outlived its useful life and was in need of a complete reconstruction.”

The steel framework, mechanical and electrical components, railings, and bridge houses were replaced. Mayor Emanuel called it a “feat of engineering.”

“This bridge will serve the next generation of residents and our commuters will be able to expect outstanding service as they travel to and from work.”

One at a time, the two movable leaves of the bascule bridge, each weighing 500,000 pounds, were dismantled and replaced with pre-fabricated sections assembled off-site and floated up the river on a barge. The south leaf was replaced in March and the north leaf in May. The bridge had been closed to pedestrians and vehicles since November 5, 2012. CTA service into the Loop was interrupted for two 90-day periods in the spring.

$40 million of the $50 million cost came from the federal government.

(Left) Wells Street Bridge as it looked on Thursday. (Below) The bridge under reconstruction on March 6, 2013. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

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