You might want to consider avoiding the Chicago Avenue Bridge for a little while. For the next three days, the Chicago Department of Transportation is closing the bridge from 9am to 5pm. During those hours, no automobile traffic will be allowed to pass through, but the bridge will remain open for bicycles and pedestrians. Outside of those work hours, one lane will be open on the bridge in both directions.
So be prepared for possible delays in your morning commute, as the reported 18,500 vehicles that cross the bridge daily will have to find another way to get over the river. Earlier this morning, traffic slowed to one lane while inspectors determined that emergency repairs were needed. Officials have said the grating on the bridge deck and the support beam will be fixed over the next few days.
Suffice it say that driving into and out of River North will be a bit of a pain until the weekend. The bridge closure over the North Branch of the Chicago River also means that the 66 Chicago Avenue bus will be rerouted during the day from Halsted, Division and Larrabee streets before resuming its normal route.
