State Street Bridge

Chicago, United States

This bridge is among the newer of Chicago's deck truss bascule bridges with a 1949 construction date. Historic American Engineering Record mentions a 1942 construction date, but the bridge was not actually completed until 1949 due to steel shortages from World War II and also issues with the Red Line subway construction that was in progress at the time as well in this area of State Street. The bridge is an example of the unique Chicago design which raised the position of the deck truss up just far enough so that the top chord is above the deck like a pony truss, where it can act as a guardrail and also increase both the clearance under the bridge and the streamlined aesthetics of the bridge.