New Suspension Bridge to Connect Bronzeville to the Lakefront Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Alderman Will Burns celebrated new work to construct a new pedestrian bridge at 35th Street over Lake Shore Drive, which will be a modern, S-shaped suspension bridge that will replace a dilapidated structure and create a stronger and more aesthetically pleasing connection between the lakefront and the Bronzeville neighborhood. The $23 million construction project is being led by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and supported by $18 million from the US Department of Transportation and $5 million from the State of Illinois. This project is part of the City’s overall investments in Bronzeville as part of the Mayor’s neighborhood development strategy, Chicago Neighborhoods Now.

CDOT is removing the existing 35th Street Pedestrian Bridge over Lake Shore Drive and the adjacent railroad tracks, and constructing a modern S-shaped suspension bridge in its place. The new bridge will be fully ADA accessible, and will include new plazas at either end, landscaping, drainage, lighting and traffic safety improvements. The project was developed in coordination with the Chicago Park District and local community to improve the overall pedestrian experience. The new bridge is expected to open in October 2015. During construction, work will be staged to maintain one lane of traffic in each direction and one sidewalk 35th Street from Cottage Grove to Lake Park and on Lake Park from 35th to 36th Street. The existing bridge is now closed and will be demolished in the coming weeks. The detour for pedestrian access to the lakefront trail is at Oakwood Boulevard over Lake Shore Drive.