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Cortland Bridge Repairs to Close Popular Car Shortcut All Summer

By Alisa Hauser | May 29, 2015 9:37am | Updated on June 1, 2015 8:35am
 The Cortland Bridge, an under-the-radar shortcut for folks traveling between Bucktown and Linclon Park, is closing for 180 days beginning June 1st for a TIF-funded repair project, according to Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd)
Cortland Bridge Closing, June 1, 2015
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BUCKTOWN — The Cortland Bridge, a trusty shortcut for folks traveling between Bucktown and Lincoln Park, is closing for up to 180 days beginning Monday, according to Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd).

The news of the repair project to provide some "under-pinning" or reinforcements for the Cortland Bascule Bridge, which crosses the North Branch of the Chicago River, was announced in Waguespack's newsletter to constituents last Friday.

Electronic signs informing drivers of the closure were installed on Wednesday.

Performed by Chicago Department of Transportation crews, the work should last for about 180 days, Waguespack said.

Alisa Hauser says the bridge is popular with cyclists:

The work will require a full closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic but, according to a tweet from the  Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, one sidewalk will be open for pedestrians and those who want to walk their bikes across the bridge.
 
CDOT is currently working on the detour plan and schedule and did not respond to requests for comment on Thursday.  

Earlier this week, the Cortland Bridge was emphasized by CDOT as an alternative route for cyclists who might wish to avoid the traffic congestion near the Damen, Elston and Fullerton intersection, which is being redesigned over the next 18 months.

"Hopefully the [Cortland Bridge] will be done sooner [than 6 months]," Waguespack said on Friday. 

The Cortland Bridge runs through the former A. Finkl & Sons site, which is undergoing a massive redevelopment where transportation issues are emerging as the most pressing focus.

The repair work is being covered by funds from the Tax Increment Financing district.

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