- 1836: Galena and Chicago Union Railroad charted between Chicago and Galena, Illinois
- 1848: 10 miles completed from Chicago to Oak Park, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1849: 20 miles completed from Oak Park to West Chicago, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1854: 68 miles completed from West Chicago to Dixon, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1855: 39 miles completed from Dixon to East Clinton, Illinois by the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad
- 1855: 10 miles double tracked from Chicago to Oak Park
- 1856: 20 miles double tracked from Oak Park to West Chicago
- 1864: G&CU consolidated with the Chicago & North Western Railway
- 1884: 15 miles double tracked from West Chicago to Elburn
- 1889: Remainder of line double tracked from Elburn to East Clinton
- 1893-95: Track elevated from Sacramento Boulevard to 40th Street (Pulaski Road)
- 1905: Track elevated from Ashland Avenue to Sacramento Boulevard
- 1908-13: Track elevated from Pulaski Road to Thatcher Avenue River Forest and additional tracks built
- 1909-11: Track realigned, elevated and expanded for new Chicago Terminal
- 1910: 13 mile bypass of Dixon completed by the Lee County Railway Company
- 1910: C&NW purchases the Lee County Railway Company
- 1995: Chicago & North Western purchased by Union Pacific Railroad
- 1995-Present: Union Pacific operates the Geneva Subdivision from Chicago to East Clinton
- 2006-Present: Metra operates the Union Pacific West Line between Elburn and Chicago
06/26/21
Located at the intersection of North Milwaukee Avenue, West Fulton Street and N. Clinton Street in the Near West Side neighborhood, this large viaduct crosses N. Milwaukee Avenue and W. Fulton Street.
Built in 1910 as the C&NW built a new station, the bridge consists of two separate faces. Both the Fulton Street bridge and the Milwaukee Avenue span consist of four spans of steel deck girder, set onto concrete and steel substructures. Because of the complex geometry of the intersection on the west side, the west face consists of eight spans over both streets, and functions as one bridge. The east face functions as two bridges, with a concrete wall between the two bridges.
Because of the unique geometry of the bridge, the east face is approximately 295 feet long, while the west face is closer to 185 feet long.
The bridge also consists of a ballasted deck. As one of the largest rail junctions in Chicago lies north of this bridge, the bridge is six tracks wide, and all are in use. Varying crossovers exist on the bridge.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition. No major deterioration was noted on the bridge.
The author has ranked the bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.