Chicago's aging bridges are causing concern as an investigation reveals that many are considered "structurally deficient" and in poor condition. Among them, the 18th Street bridge in the Pilsen neighborhood is showing significant signs of distress, which includes substantial corrosion and major shear cracks, according to a University of Illinois-Chicago engineering expert in a statement obtained by WLS-TV. Despite these findings, city officials assure the public that all open bridges are safe and are maintained through "rigorous inspection schedules."
Analysis of National Bridge Inventory data by the WLS-TV I-Team found that one out of every six bridges in the city has been rated as structurally deficient. The alarming label coincides with a report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, highlighted by the Chicago Tribune, which points to nine of the top 10 most-traveled, structurally deficient bridges being located in the Chicago area. These findings have sparked responses from transportation officials and the city's Department of Transportation (CDOT), which is tasked with maintaining numerous bridges included in this category.
The CDOT has announced that several iconic bridges over the Chicago River are due for repair, including the Dearborn, LaSalle, and Clark Street bridges, along with the DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge. A CDOT spokesperson elaborated to WLS-TV, highlighting a "robust bridge and viaduct program" already in motion to address the more than 300 bridge structures under CDOT's jurisdiction. This follows Governor JB Pritzker's "Rebuild Illinois" plan, which allocated substantial funding for the state's infrastructure needs.
Meanwhile, under the bridges at Lawrence and Wilson Avenues beneath Lake Shore Drive, the distress is visible with concrete pieces and exposed rebar posing hazards to the public. Thomas Gordon, a resident of the area, told the Chicago Tribune about the potential dangers faced by the community, including himself and other homeless individuals who seek shelter in these underpasses. The Tribune also reports plans for summer repairs that will necessitate the relocation of the tent communities located there. Despite the growing concerns and clear evidence of deterioration, officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) insist there are no unsafe bridges open in the state, mentioning closures are immediate if hazardous conditions are detected.
With over $4.97 billion in the primary state accounts to support transportation costs, according to a spokesperson for the governor's office, there appears to be enough cash to tackle the lengthy list of at-risk bridges. Kevin Artl, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois, highlighted to WLS-TV that after 20 years of inadequate infrastructure funding, the state is now in a race to repair its bridges. The state of Illinois was ranked third in the nation for the highest number of bridges in poor or structurally deficient condition, as reported by the nonprofit American Road & Transportation Builders Association, in an indication of the magnitude of the task at hand.
