Franklin Street Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Franklin–Orleans Street Bridge over the Chicago River
was built in October 1920, directly southwest of the Merchandise Mart
. Connecting the Near North Side with "The Loop
," is at the junction of the branches of the river, lying directly west of the Wells Street Bridge. It carries four lanes of traffic in the northbound direction, and sidewalks are available on both sides of the bridge.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company was the contractor for the substructure, and the Ketler–Elliot Company was the contractor for the superstructure. Original electrical equipment was installed by C.H. Norwood. The bridge is an example of a trunnion bascule bridge
, with each half of the roadway is cantilevered out from shore abutments. The bridge is extremely efficient to operate.
The bridge provided a new connection to the southern banks of the river and aided in westward expansion along Wacker Drive
.
Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of the same name, including its center . Though not especially long, the river is notable for being the reason why Chicago became an important location, as the link between the Great Lakes and...
was built in October 1920, directly southwest of the Merchandise Mart
Merchandise Mart
When opened in 1930, the Merchandise Mart or the Merch Mart, located in the Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, was the largest building in the world with of floor space. Previously owned by the Marshall Field family, the Mart centralized Chicago's wholesale goods business by consolidating vendors...
. Connecting the Near North Side with "The Loop
Chicago Loop
The Loop or Chicago Loop is one of 77 officially designated Chicago community areas located in the City of Chicago, Illinois. It is the historic commercial center of downtown Chicago...
," is at the junction of the branches of the river, lying directly west of the Wells Street Bridge. It carries four lanes of traffic in the northbound direction, and sidewalks are available on both sides of the bridge.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company was the contractor for the substructure, and the Ketler–Elliot Company was the contractor for the superstructure. Original electrical equipment was installed by C.H. Norwood. The bridge is an example of a trunnion bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
, with each half of the roadway is cantilevered out from shore abutments. The bridge is extremely efficient to operate.
The bridge provided a new connection to the southern banks of the river and aided in westward expansion along Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive is a major street in Chicago, Illinois, United States, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River...
.
In popular culture
- The bridgeBridgeA bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
was featured prominently in the 2005 film Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman Begins is a 2005 American superhero action film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman, directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Christian Bale as Batman, along with Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, Tom Wilkinson,...
as the bridge that connects Gotham City with the Narrows.
General references
- Survey number HAER IL-65 - Chicago River Bascule Bridge, Franklin Street, Spanning Chicago River at North Franklin Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL