West Division Stree Bridge
Bridge has a slight curve between pratt span and Main Parker Spain.
Photo taken by J.P.
BH Photo #217615
EXTREMELY doubtful that the bridge will ever be turned into a pedestrian bridge at its current location. It would have been nice to have it be a tie in to the I&M Canal trail, but that unfortunately is on the other side of the Sanitary and Ship Canal. Some of the area around this bridge appears to be property of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. This agency is not the type of agency that is interested in inviting the public into any of its land. And yes, there is a dam 1.1 miles north of this bridge. It separates the river from the Sanitary and Ship Canal. The sign about sirens sounding and rising water is a routine warning to be found downstream of many dams, nothing unusual.
You can read my insights about this bridge here: http://www.historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowse... As you will see I was not able to stylistically associate a builder with any of the spans. I sure would like to know who built them. I also thought the Pratt span maybe looked older.
The only reason I dont see the trail happening is because its on the Water Companys property, plus there were signs that said if you hear a buzzer run. (laymen Terms.) Guessing the river there floods quite easily or there is a dam up stream from that area. But I would love to see it become a trail, in my opinion as you said Trail written all over it. A nice paint Job and some rehab work and its ready to go.
This one has trail use written all over it!
I remember as a kid in the 60s the round abouts that you had to climb to get on the division street bridge trying to find any pictures of the round abouts over the years i dream of stuff like that Lockport was a very small quiet town back then i guess that sentimental memories get hard to ignore as i reach my senior years.