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 Western Avenue near W. Bloomington Avenue.
The original bridge here was built in 1914, as a four span concrete slab bridge. In 2014, the City of Chicago elected to replace the 1914 bridge with a reused through plate girder span from nearby N. Ashland Avenue. That bridge had been constructed in 1899 as part of a different ordinance.
When relocated, the through girder bridge received minor alterations, including minor fixes and a new paint job. The elevated track in the area was also replaced, and new ramps were added to Western Avenue.
The bridge was built for two tracks, and is now set upon concrete substructures. The original abutments of the old bridge were partially retained and reused. The move from Ashland Avenue occurred on April 29th, 2014.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, with some fixes made throughout.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design. Despite this, the relocation of a bridge like this is a good show of preservation and reuse of a historic span.
The photo above is an overview.