St. Charles Air Line Bridge — Attraction in West Chicago Township

The 1919 St. Charles Air Line Bridge has been closed (in the "open" position) for c. two years, but Amtrak's current plans (since passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill) include repairing and re-opening the single-leaf double-track bascule bridge. A new, descending 90-degree curve will connect the bridge's west end with nearby north / south tracks leading to-and-from Chicago Union Station. This new construction will probably require removal of the western elevated approach to this bridge, as well as the western approach to the nearby Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) bascule bridge (which closed-down many years ago). The project includes purchasing and re-building the one-time St. Charles Air Line (currently part of Canadian National Railway's Lakefront Line) as far east as the electrified CN / South Shore Line at McCormick Place. From there, Amtrak trains will follow CN's (one-time Illinois Central) / South Shore Line c. 13 miles to Kensington / 115th street. From there, eastbound Amtrak trains will follow the South Shore Line to Michigan City IN, where the new route will connect with existing Amtrak routes (The WOLVERINE / The BLUE WATER / The PERE MARQUETTE). The new route will eliminate the usual delays encountered along Norfolk Southern Railway's Chicago Line, west...

ugly old hunk of metal. symbol of chicago's past as a national rail transportation hub and it's present condition as a decaying 20th century industrial city struggling to hold on to its industrial heritage instead of modernizing and entering the 21st century. chicago will never be on par with the truly great cities of the world as long as its people continue to laud old industrial anachronisms and aesthetic eyesores like this bridge. take it down. then melt it down and fashion a tasteful sculpture with its metal. place the sculpture in a park that should be created along the river bank north of the bridge, that would connect the river walk on the south bank to the Ping Tom Park...

I agree with many of the comments regarding this bridge. The old, non functioning bridge along with other non functioning bridges like the one by the Merchandise Mart, are very old and built to outlast anything that is made today. Knowing that the foundations and structures are very robust, these bridges with their perfect locations to enjoy city views should be turned into living quarters be it condos, private residences or even businesses. There is no real reason to tear down a solid structure just to erect another. This will allow for the appreciation of the old and marry it to 21st...