Dearborn Street Bridge, Chicagoland Travel Guide

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A historic Chicago River bridge, connecting the Near North Side and the Loop, with a legacy dating back to the city's first drawbridge.

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Dearborn Street Bridge

The Dearborn Street Bridge, built in 1962, is a vital link connecting Chicago's Near North Side and the Loop. Honored with the 'Most Beautiful Steel Bridge' award in 1963, it stands as the fourth bridge on this historic site, where the city's first drawbridge was erected in 1834.

A brief summary to Dearborn Street Bridge

Chicago, Near North Side, Illinois, 60654, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Dearborn Street Bridge.

Check the schedule for bridge lifts to witness the impressive operation of the bridge raising to allow boat traffic to pass.
Explore the Chicago Riverwalk near the bridge for dining, recreation, and boat access.
Visit the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum to learn more about Chicago's iconic bridges and the Chicago River.

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Explore Dearborn Street Bridge on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Dearborn Street Bridge, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From the Magnificent Mile, walk west on E Wacker Dr towards N Michigan Ave. Continue onto N Wabash Ave, then turn left onto W Kinzie St. Turn right onto N Dearborn St. The Dearborn Street Bridge will be on your left. This is a walk of approximately 10-15 minutes.
Public Transport

From Union Station, take the CTA Brown Line towards Kimball. Get off at the Merchandise Mart station. Walk east on Kinzie Street, then turn right onto N Dearborn St. The Dearborn Street Bridge will be on your left. The 'L' train fare is $2.50.
Taxi/Ride-Share

From Navy Pier, a taxi or ride-share to the Dearborn Street Bridge will take approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Expect to pay around $15-$25.

Discover more about Dearborn Street Bridge

The Dearborn Street Bridge is more than just a functional structure; it's a testament to Chicago's engineering prowess and rich history. The current bridge, opened on October 27, 1963, is the fourth to span the Chicago River at this location. The first bridge, built in 1834, was a simple drawbridge that quickly became an unreliable nuisance and was removed in 1839.After nearly fifty years, a replacement arrived in 1888 in the form of the old Wells Street swing bridge, which was floated to Dearborn Street via scows. In 1907, a Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge took its place, only to be replaced by the current bridge. The present-day Dearborn Street Bridge is a Chicago-type bascule bridge, easily identified by its single bridgehouse. It was awarded an Award of Merit by the American Institute of Steel Construction.The bridge plays a crucial role in Chicago's infrastructure, facilitating the movement of traffic between the Near North Side and the Loop. It also participates in the city's tradition of bridge lifts, where bridges are raised to allow large boats to pass through the Chicago River.