The Bridge to Nowhere, Chicago, Illinois

Constructed in 1895, Chicago’s “Bridge to Nowhere” is an old Chicago Surface Lines “Streetcar” trolley line which is now part of the Chicago Transit Authority. The bridge was built by the Chicago Surface Lines in order for the “elevated line” to pass over the lines of both the Chicago and North Western Galena Division rail line to and beyond Oak Park as well as the Milwaukee Road rail line which goes west to Elgin.

The trains ran regular service until 1951 when the Milwaukee Avenue Subway opened which made this portion of the line obsolete. In 1964 the rail lines on either side of the bridge were removed. Rumor has it that the bridge was left standing because dismantling it would disrupt the trains that cross underneath…which is quite a bit of traffic. There are 8 sets of tracks under the bridge although I think only 5 are in use.

I’m told that today the bridge to nowhere remains in place mainly because it supports the westbound approach signals for the Metra rail lines.

Lot’s of rail traffic going under this bridge people!

GPS Location: 41º53’19.0″N 87º40’13.0″W