After the C&P entered receivership in 1876, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul purchased the assets of the C&P in 1880. After the line was double tracked through the City of Chicago in 1886, traffic grew substantially on the route.
The double track led to accidents at grade crossings, which were at every block at the time. In 1899, the tracks were elevated between Ashland Avenue and the Chicago River. In addition, the tracks were elevated between the junction of the north/south Milwaukee Road main line near Lawndale Avenue and Kostner Aveuue around the same time.
In 1910, an ordinance was passed requiring elevation of the railroad from Marshfield Avenue to Lawndale Avenue. The elevation was completed in 1915, and the railroad greatly expanded through the area.
The Milwaukee Road later declared bankruptcy, and became part of the Soo Line in 1985. The Soo Line became part of Canadian Pacific Railway the year after, and operated the Bloomingdale Line until 2001, when they abandoned west of the Kennedy Expressway. The Chicago Transfer Railway began operations around Goose Island in 2007, and the remaining portion of the Bloomingdale Line was abandoned in 2018.
In 2014, the Lawndale Avenue-Marshfield Avenue segment was developed as part of the 606 Trail. The 606 Trail will be extended to the east in the coming years.
06/26/21
Located along the border of the West Town and Logan Square, this bridge carries the 606 Trail across North Leavitt Street near N. Milwaukee Avenue.
Built 1914 as the Milwaukee Road elevated their tracks through the area, the bridge consists of a four span concrete slab bridge, set onto concrete substructures. The bridge was a standardized design of the Milwaukee Road for this time.
The bridge was built for two tracks, although the railroad is now removed. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2015 and is now part of the 606 Trail.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in fair condition, with some deterioration noted.
The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.