After more than a year of detours, lane shifts and construction noise, relief is finally in sight at Montrose Harbor. The city is closing in on reconstruction of four-car bridges on the North Side lakefront, with crews replacing failing concrete supports and rebuilding the spans largely within their original footprints. If schedules hold, the most disruptive work will wrap up by the end of May, and regular pedestrian and bike access around the harbor should return soon after.
The Chicago Department of Transportation has been rebuilding spans at Montrose Avenue, Wilson Avenue and two bridges along Simonds Drive, working to keep the bridges’ historic character while swapping out aging structural elements, according to Block Club Chicago. Each bridge has been reconstructed to match its existing dimensions, and crews preserved limestone ornamentation where they could, the outlet reported. The job also includes new lighting and repairs to the pedestrian underpasses that move walkers, runners and cyclists under the roadways.
City procurement filings show CDOT awarded roughly $20.3 million for the "Montrose Harbor Bridges and Underpasses Improvements" in April 2024, and the contract (spec. 1212857) has been amended as work progressed, per City of Chicago. The documents indicate construction moved forward in 2024 and that CDOT kept the project on a fast track, offering an official paper trail for what has turned into a multi-year overhaul.
According to Block Club Chicago, CDOT expects major construction to be finished by May 31, 2026, with specialty stonework continuing into the summer. The outlet also reported that the city used rolling two-week traffic closures for each bridge this spring to push the work along. On the parking front, the 46th Ward is working with the city to potentially shift some older parallel parking into perpendicular spaces, a change that could add about 50 to 60 spots once construction staging is out of the way. Ward materials list "Bridge Reconstruction - Montrose Beach" among major projects and show an anticipated summer 2026 completion for harbor work, per the 46th Ward.
What’s Been Rebuilt
Workers have swapped out deteriorated concrete supports, repaved underpasses, upgraded drainage and added ADA-accessible elements while holding onto historic limestone cladding and decorative details, according to Preservation Chicago. The spans date to 1936, and the preservation-focused approach is meant to keep Montrose Harbor’s 1930s-era look intact while improving safety and durability. Once finishing stonework and landscaping are in place, the underpasses are expected to be brighter and easier for cyclists and people with mobility needs to navigate.
What To Expect This Summer
Visitors should see many Lakefront Trail connections restored as major construction winds down, though crews will still be on-site handling stonework and landscaping into the warmer months. The 46th Ward lists the bridge work among its top infrastructure priorities and is urging neighbors to watch for posted signs and short-term no-parking notices while finishing touches are underway. Residents with detailed questions can contact the ward office or check city project pages before heading to the harbor.
Once the dust finally settles, the rebuilt bridges are expected to preserve Montrose Harbor’s historic look while making the lakefront more accessible for daily users. Officials say the improvements should help keep the area safer and more welcoming for boaters, cyclists and beachgoers for years to come.
