Gazing up at the Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge, can you imagine the bustling traffic that once flowed across its sturdy frame? This unassuming yet impressive structure holds a fascinating history. The Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge spans the Sanitary and Ship Canal, nestled between other bridges like the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad and the south Central Avenue Traffic Bridges.
Originally constructed in 1927, the Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge began its life as a pony truss bascule bridge. It featured two truss lines and the ability to be raised, complete with bridge tender buildings and traffic gates. Picture the bridge tender diligently operating the controls, raising the bridge to allow ships to pass through the canal below. The traffic gates would descend, temporarily halting the flow of cars and pedestrians as the massive structure gracefully ascended.
A significant transformation occurred in 1966 when the Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge underwent a major rehabilitation and widening project. A third pony truss line, identical to the original two, was added. Interestingly, the steel used in this expansion bore the logo of U.S. Steel. This seemingly small detail provides a clue to the bridge’s history. U.S. Steel didn’t use their logo in 1927, relying instead on the names of their subsidiary mills. The appearance of the U.S. Steel logo on the new steel confirms the 1966 expansion date. This expansion effectively doubled the bridge’s width. The original trusses must have been significantly over-engineered to support the additional weight of the new central truss and roadway.
Today, the Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge stands as a fixed structure. It no longer raises its spans to accommodate passing ships. The bridge tender buildings and traffic gates have been removed, leaving behind a silent testament to the bridge’s earlier function. A plaque commemorating the 1966 widening project is mounted on the end of the truss. This is an unusual location for such a plaque on Chicago bascule bridges. Historical photos reveal that before the widening, the bridge boasted two plaques: a large, typical city bridge plaque, and a smaller one with unknown content. These missing plaques were also mounted at the truss ends. This suggests the unusual plaque placement predates the 1966 project. The Cicero Avenue Railroad Bridge stands as a remarkable example of a three-line pony truss bascule bridge. Its transformation from a movable bridge to a fixed structure reflects the changing needs of the area. Despite its altered functionality, the bridge continues to serve as a vital transportation artery. It also serves as a tangible link to Chicago’s rich engineering history.