Cortland Street Bridge Closing This Month Until 2027 For Restoration

The Cortland Street bridge in Chicago will close to car traffic starting September 22 as it undergoes a significant restoration project that will last until 2027. Officials estimate an 18 to 24-month closure period, though the sidewalk will remain open for a few months longer. The restoration work will include new concrete grating, timber sidewalks, railings, lighting, and structural improvements. This bridge, a designated city landmark, was originally built in 1902 and was the first Chicago Style Fixed Trunnion Bascule Bridge. The current closure follows a repair project that concluded in 2015.

Located near the proposed Foundry Park development, the bridge serves as a vital link between Bucktown and Lincoln Park. Construction on the Foundry Park project, which includes residential and commercial developments, is scheduled to begin next fall. The Cortland closure follows the completion of renovations on the Webster Avenue bridge approximately half a mile north.