UP Webster Avenue Bridge (Logan Square)

Located in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, this steel stringer bridge carries the Union Pacific North Line over Webster Avenue west of Ashland Avenue. The railroad was originally elevated at this location in 1899, and the first structure consisted of a through plate girder span, similar to other structures seen on the Union Pacific North Line. In 1915, the railroad decided to replace the structure in conjunction with an upcoming replacement of the Deering Bridge, which is located immediately north of this location. The bridge would be replaced by a structure consisting of two 25-foot and two 10-foot trough floor steel stringer spans, set onto steel bent piers. The stone substructures from the previous bridge would be repaired and reused. This type of bridge utilizes numerous parallel steel stringers and a sheet metal deck, which are constructed as one unit. The bridge was originally constructed for five tracks, although only two remain in use. The superstructure of the bridge was fabricated by Chicago Bridge & Iron Works, and it is believed that the substructures were constructed by railroad forces. This design of bridge was commonly used for track elevation projects, as it provided a durable and cost effective design. In addition, ballast decks were preferred by railroads and municipalities, as they provided a safer design for roadway users and the maintenance was more cost effective than an open deck design. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and the bridge was repaired and painted in 2018. The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.