It wouldn’t be a tired ol’ adage if it wasn’t true—Chicago has two seasons: winter and construction. Much to the (rightful) dismay of commuters, we are crash-landing into the latter.
Starting Monday, October 6, the Lake Street Bascule Bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River—better known as the Lake Street Bridge—will close for a years-long rehabilitation project, adding to the growing list of city bridges shut down for major reconstruction. The renovations, which were originally planned for 2024, will entail several improvements on the downtown bridge, including a replacement bridge deck and CTA tracks, along with a rehabilitation of crucial mechanical and electrical systems. Construction on the 109-year-old bridge will stretch into January 2028, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Chicagoans should brace themselves for some transit-related headaches: The Lake Street Bridge will be fully closed to both vehicles and pedestrians starting Monday, October 6. Eastbound vehicles will be pushed into the following detour route: Desplaines Street to Washington Street to Franklin Street to Lake Street. Westbound vehicles will be detoured to the following: Wacker Drive to Madison Street to Jefferson Street to Lake Street. Pedestrians will be shuffled to Canal Street, then Wacker Drive and finally Randolph Street.
CTA commuters will go (mostly) unscathed: Green and Pink Line traffic will run continuously throughout the bridge closure with the exception of two shutdowns slated for fall 2026 and spring 2027.
This isn’t the only major reconstruction project rocking downtown Chicago: The State Street Bridge abruptly closed for emergency repairs earlier this year, with reopening expected in November. Rubbing salt in the wound, repairs on the Chicago Avenue Bridge began just a few days ago and is projected to last until December 2026. The 17-month-long infrastructure project has shut down Chicago Avenue between Larrabee Street and Peoria Street, with more closures to come.