Columbus Drive bridge closed for repairs

By Taylor Hartz | Staff Writer

Repairs are underway to clean up and improve the Columbus Drive bridge, closing the bridge to pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic for most of the month.

On March 26, the Chicago Department of Transportation began a project to repair

the roadway and sidewalks on the bridge. Crews will be replacing the sidewalk grating, sidewalk stringers and the center breaks in the roadway, according to a notice from Ald. Brendan Reilly.

In a statement last month, Ald. Reilly called the repairs “much needed.”

While the project is underway, the bridge will be closed Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but will be open during rush hour to accommodate traffic.

The first phase of the project will involve replacing the center breaks on the roadway. The bridge will be closed until this part of the project wraps up at the end of April, said Reilly.

To avoid the closed bridge, northbound traffic is redirected from Columbus Dr. to Lower Wacker Dr. and towards Lake Shore Dr. to Grand Ave. which then reconnects

with Columbus Dr. Southbound traffic is asked to take Columbus Dr. to Illinois St.,

then Lake Shore Dr., to Lower Wacker Dr. which reconnects to Columbus Dr.

The entire project is expected to continue until October.