This standard single span through girder crossed W. Lawrence Avenue next to Ravenswood Avenue, in the Ravenswood neighborhood.
Built in 1897, the bridge consisted of a three span through girder bridge, set onto stone and steel substructures. Originally constructed for three tracks, only one track of the historic span remained in 2019. These girder bridges are typical of early track elevation projects. Many were fabricated by Lassig Bridge & Iron Works.
Unfortunately for this historic bridge, Metra has begun a program to replace 22 bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Balmoral Avenue.
The first set includes the 11 structures from Grace Street to Balmoral Avenue. The western track was replaced in 2014, the center track in 2018, and the eastern track was demolished in late 2020.
The second phase will replace the bridges between Fullerton Avenue and Addison Street, although it has been put on hold as of 2019.
Overall, the historic bridge was in poor condition and beginning to show signs of deterioration at the time of replacement.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.