Wabash Avenue Bridge | |
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 The bridge in 1999 | |
| Coordinates | 41°53′17″N87°37′37″W / 41.887924°N 87.626839°W /41.887924; -87.626839 |
| Carries | Automobiles Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Chicago River |
| Locale | Chicago,Cook County,Illinois |
| Official name | Irv Kupcinet Bridge |
| Other name | Wabash Avenue Bridge |
| Maintained by | Chicago Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 000016605226647 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Double-leafbascule bridge |
| Total length | 345 feet (105 m) |
| Width | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Longest span | 232 feet (71 m) |
| No. of spans | 3 |
| Clearance below | 22 feet (7 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | Thomas Pihlfeldt |
| Opened | 1930 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 5,800[1] |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Wabash Avenue Bridge | |
TheWabash Avenue Bridge (officially,Irv Kupcinet Bridge) over theChicago River was built in 1930. Standing west of theMichigan Avenue Bridge and east ofMarina City, thebascule bridge connects theNear North Side with "The Loop" area.
The single-deck, double-leafbascule bridge was designed by Thomas Pihlfeldt and built by the Ketler and Elliot Company.[2] The American Institute of Steel Construction awarded it the "Most Beautiful" bridge in 1930.[2]
The control houses for controlling bridge operations are on the northwest and southwest corners of the bridge. The control houses are identical in design. In 1961 the control houses were upgraded to allow single man operation. Electrical modernization also accompanied this upgrade. While the northern control house is no longer in use, it still stands.[2]
Crossings of theChicago River | ||||
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Authority control databases: Geographic |
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