Wabash Avenue Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Wabash Avenue Bridge
Official Name:Irv Kupcinet Bridge
Other Name:Wabash Avenue Bridge
Carries:Automobiles
Pedestrians
Crosses:Chicago River
Locale:Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Maint:Chicago Department of Transportation
Id:000016605226647
Designer:Thomas Pihlfeldt
Design:Double-leaf bascule bridge
Spans:3
Mainspan:232feet
Length:345feet
Width:90feet
Below:22feet
Traffic:5,800[1]
Open:1930
Coordinates:41.8879°N -87.6268°W

The Wabash Avenue Bridge (officially, Irv Kupcinet Bridge) over the Chicago River was built in 1930. Standing west of the Michigan Avenue Bridge and east of Marina City, the bascule bridge connects the Near North Side with "The Loop" area.

The single-deck, double-leaf bascule bridge was designed by Thomas Pihlfeldt and built by the Ketler and Elliot Company.[2] The American Institute of Steel Construction awarded it the "Most Beautiful" bridge in 1930.

The control houses for controlling bridge operations are on the northwest and southwest corners of the bridge. The control houses are identical in design. In 1961 the control houses were upgraded to allow single man operation. Electrical modernization also accompanied this upgrade. While the northern control house is no longer in use, it still stands.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NBI Structure Number: 000016605226647 . 2009-05-18 .
  2. Web site: Historic American Engineering Record . 2009-05-18 . National Park Service .