CHICAGO — The $5 million rehabilitation of the South Kedzie Avenue bridge is complete and the roadway has reopened to traffic, city officials said.
The repair work has shored up parts of the bridge that had deteriorated, transportation officials said.
The bridge, built in 1909 and later reconstructed in 1969, received a new concrete roadway deck, repaired girders, floor beams, lateral bracing and new sidewalks with fiberglass panels. As part of the construction work, Kedzie Avenue between 31st and 35th streets was also repaved.
Reconstruction of the bridge, which spans the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal between 31st and 36th streets, began in March, with work taking place in two phases. The second phase closed the bridge since June, forcing detours and causing traffic headaches.
“The South Kedzie Bridge was in dire need of repair,” Ald. George Cardenas (12th) said in a statement. “It was unsafe for drivers. Reconstructing the bridge will mean thousands of drivers can safely get to their destination. I know the community and businesses will be pleased with the reconstruction effort."
