Chasing Chicago's movable bridges (2014)

(aresluna.org)

33 points | by NaOH 2 days ago

3 comments

  • codechicago277 1 hour ago
    Surprised the article doesn’t mention the McCormick Bridgehouse Museum. It’s something like $5, and you can see the inside of one of those bridges.

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/eUXWfkm8LVuYMDsc7

  • nkrisc 1 hour ago
    Great photos, many angles and views I haven’t seen myself. I used to have a desk in a corner overlooking the Congress expressway bridge (looking Southeast) and it was always fun to watch them halt traffic to open that one. I loved riding through the post office and over that bridge as a kid, usually on the way to the MSI.

    I had a friend with a sailboat when I was young and though I did go sailing with his family sometimes, I wish I had the chance to ride with them while taking it past the bridges.

    Another cool bridge to see is the disused rail bridge at the Northern tip of Goose Island. You can see it easily from North Ave. I passed by quite often as a kid and seeing the giant, concrete counterweight suspended up in the air always made me kind of nervous it would crash down as we were passing by.

  • gwbas1c 21 minutes ago
    I'm curious why the sailboats need to enter and leave once a year? Is it that they are drydocked over the winter?
    • davidjfelix 19 minutes ago
      yes - the lake freezes.

      I should also clarify. The sailboats in particular need the bridges raised which is why they have a scheduled time to exit. Ordinary boats can be removed closer to the water or navigate the river without the bridge being raised. Those boats are also removed for the winter.