Ohio Street Bridge

Why does the Ohio Street Bridge have two bridge houses? That’s a question you might ask yourself standing here. The Ohio Street Bridge, this unique structure, isn’t just one bridge. It’s actually twin double-leaf bascule bridges working in perfect tandem. Built in 1961, the Ohio Street Bridge was a crucial piece of Chicago’s ambitious “superhighway” system. This system, envisioned after World War II, aimed to connect the city with a network of expressways. The Ohio Street Bridge, therefore, served as a vital link between the near North Side and the Kennedy Expressway. This connection indirectly linked to other major expressways like the Stevenson, Eisenhower, and Dan Ryan. Interestingly, the bridge’s construction wasn’t without its hiccups. A 1962 Chicago Tribune headline screamed, “Ohio St. Span Leaves Stick, Tie Up Traffic.” The culprit? Thermal expansion. The intense summer heat caused the bridge leaves to expand while open, making it impossible to lower them. It took a cooling rain shower and 25 minutes of traffic chaos for the bridge to function normally again. Today, the Ohio Street Bridge stands as a testament to Chicago’s ambition and its ongoing struggle with the forces of nature.