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Abandoned Paulina Street Bridge (New City)

Through Plate Girder Bridge over S. Paulina Street
New City, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois

Click the Photo Above to See All Photos of This Bridge!
Name Abandoned Paulina Street Bridge (New City)
Built By Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
Built By Grand Trunk Railway
Contractor American Bridge Company of New York
Currently Owned By Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
Length 65 Feet Total, 45 Foot Main Span
Width 2 Tracks, Abutments Built For 4
Height Above Ground 12 Feet 8 Inches
Superstructure Type Through Plate Girder
Substructure Type Concrete and Steel Tower
Date Built 1907
Traffic Count 0 Trains/Day (Bridge is Abandoned)
Current Status Abandoned
Significance Local Significance
Documentation Date December 2018


Located in the New City neighborhood of Chicago, this through girder bridge crosses South Paulina Street at W. 49th Street.
Built in 1907 as the Indiana Harbor Belt and parallel Grand Truck raised their tracks through the area, the bridge consists of a trio of through plate girder spans, set onto concrete and steel substructures. While the bridge was originally built for four tracks, only the two GTW tracks remain.
In addition, the bridge consists of a ballasted deck. This deck has protected the bridge since construction. The bridge has been abandoned for many years, although it has not been removed.
This type of bridge is typical for this specific separation, which spans from Western Avenue to Halsted Street.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair to good condition, with little significant deterioration. It is unknown who currently owns the bridge, although it is believed that Indiana Harbor Belt does.

The author has ranked this 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 American Bridge Company plaque
Railroad Line History Source ICC Valuation Information, Compiled by Richard S. Steele