Chicagoans can say goodbye to one of the North Side's best shortcuts for the foreseeable future.
Last week, the city announced that the Cortland Street Bascule Bridge will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from June 1 until November. At least one sidewalk will be open to pedestrian traffic during the construction, and cyclists will be able to walk their bikes across. The bridge was originally built in 1902 and is in dire need of repair. This year's construction will lay the groundwork for a complete rehabilitation of the structure in 2018.
Cortland Street is a great alternative to North and Fullerton avenues for commuters looking to cross the North Branch of the Chicago River. During the construction, motorists will be detoured to North or Webster avenues, which will probably do a good job of jamming up traffic in the area throughout the summer.