Since 1907, the North Avenue double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge over the Chicago River has been a vital connection for land-bound travelers. This 99-year-old bridge is soon to be removed and replaced by a "hybrid suspension/cable-stay bridge," which will be a smaller version of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Built to facilitate the needs of traffic in the area, the new $21.4 million four-lane bridge will be the first of its kind for Chicago. The City of Chicago currently maintains 52 bridges, of which 37 are movable, spanning various parts of the Chicago River from the downtown area through the North and South branches, not including numerous railroad bridges. The Chicago River runs for 156 miles, when including all its tributaries, from its furthest north to furthest south points.
Some of the current movable bridge types in the city range from the double and single-leaf trunnion bascule bridge—known as "Chicago-type" bascule—and the Strauss heel-type trunnion bascule railroad bridge, the last of which is located at Cermak Road. The first trunnion bascule bridge in Chicago, and the United States, was completed in 1902 and can still be seen and driven over at Cortland Street on the city's near-north side.
The major North Ave. crossing will remain open as the city builds a temporary bridge to be used during construction. Completion of the new structure is scheduled for fall of 2007.
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