The first month of the Chicago – Halsted Viaduct and Chicago Avenue River Bridge project is complete.
Project Overview
This project involves replacing the Halsted Street viaduct structure from Ancona Street to the north branch of the Chicago River, along with a full replacement of the Chicago Avenue River Bridge. The new river bridge will feature a tied-arch design, while the viaduct will be rebuilt in-kind. Additional improvements include a new riverwalk connection, protected bike lanes, dedicated CTA bus lanes, upgraded street lighting, and enhanced traffic signals. These upgrades aim to improve safety, accessibility, and multimodal connectivity throughout the area. Completion is anticipated in December 2026.
Work Completed
Crews have removed existing street lighting, traffic signals, signage, and bus shelters along Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue. Viaduct removal is underway along the north leg of Halsted and the east leg of Chicago, with significant progress made to date.
Upcoming Activities
Bridge demolition will continue over the next month, including concrete sawing, breaking, and steel beam removal. In areas where demolition is complete, crews will begin constructing new bridge piers. Please note that bridge demolition is inherently noisy and dusty; however, crews will implement measures to minimize disruptions as much as possible.
On September 29, 2025, the project will advance to the next phase – full closure of the viaduct and river bridge.