Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge

Can you hear the ghosts of trains rumbling over the Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge? We’re standing before a truly unique structure, a bobtail swing bridge spanning the North Branch of the Chicago River. The Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge isn’t just any bridge. It’s a piece of Chicago’s industrial and transportation history, a testament to ingenuity and a survivor of changing times. Built in 1899, the Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge replaced an older wooden swing bridge that had a troublesome bend. Onward Bates, the superintendent of bridges for the Milwaukee Road, designed this marvel. His solution to the navigation issues was to offset the pivot pier 108 feet east. He ingeniously repurposed the old swing pier, lowering it to become the west pier. This created the “bobtail” effect, with one half of the swing span shorter than the other. Interestingly, the Milwaukee Road seemed to love this design. They built more bobtail swing bridges than any other railroad. Out of only ten such railroad bridges ever built, seven belonged to the Milwaukee Road. The Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge showcases this distinctive feature. The bridge originally consisted of a 70-foot deck girder span on the west and the bobtail swing span on the east, both resting on concrete piers. The east pier itself is quite unusual, functioning almost like a turntable, with the east leaf of the swing span always positioned over a pit. Sadly, vandals stole the copper wiring for the swing mechanism. This act of destruction meant heavy equipment was needed to close the bridge for its final train crossing. The Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge was once a vital link in Chicago’s transportation network. The line saw bustling activity, carrying both passenger and freight trains. It served local industries, connecting businesses and facilitating trade. The line’s importance waned over time, and it was eventually abandoned. Yet, the Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge stands as a resilient symbol of the past. It has found new life as part of The 606 trail, an elevated park built on the former railway line. Although the bridge’s future involves its use as an overlook for a 606 Trail extension, the fate of the western approach remains uncertain. So, next time you stroll along The 606, take a moment to appreciate the Milwaukee Road Bloomingdale Line Railroad Bridge. It is more than just a bridge. It’s a story of innovation, adaptation, and the enduring spirit of Chicago.