Chicago Bridge Lifts Underway


Fall bridge lifts, coordinated by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), began Saturday, September 27, with the raising of river bridges from S Ashland Ave to Lake Shore Drive. Bridge lifts begin at 9:00 am on weekends and 9:30 am on weekdays.

Each year, in the spring and fall, CDOT raises the movable bridges along the Main and South Branches of the Chicago River on a twice-weekly schedule on Saturdays and Wednesdays to accommodate recreational boats traveling to and from their storage yards. During these “boat runs,” the bridges are typically raised one at a time, with each bridge lift taking an average of 8-12 minutes. A total of 27 bridges are lifted in succession.Survey: Chicago Department of Transportation Electric Vehicle and Mobility Infrastructure Framework