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Abandoned Elston Avenue Bridge (West Town)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over N. Elston Avenue
West Town, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
To
Logan Square, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Abandoned Elston Avenue Bridge (West Town)
Built By Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Contractor Lassig Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago
Currently Owned By Iowa Pacific Holdings
Length 75 Feet Total
Width 2 Tracks
Height Above Ground 15 Feet (Estimated)
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete
Date Built 1899
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned, Awaiting Future Development
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date July 2018


Located along the border of the West Town and Logan Square, this bridge crosses North Elston Avenue south of W. Cortland Street.
Built 1903, the bridge features a simple design, including a single through girder span, set onto concrete abutments. Since construction, the bridge has received little alteration.
The bridge was built for two tracks, although it is now abandoned. As of 2018, the tracks on this bridge were removed, and it is planned to become part of the 606 Trail.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with minimal significant deterioration noted.

The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.

Citations

Source Type

Source

Build Date Chicago track elevation ordinances
Contractor Missing Lassig Bridge & Iron Works plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele