Chicago – The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) today announced the start of a major reconstruction project to replace the Chicago Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River and the adjacent Halsted Street Viaduct. Construction will begin in early August 2025 and continue through the end of 2026, requiring lane reductions and full street closures. 

The scope of work includes: 

• Replacement of the temporary Chicago Avenue bridge with a permanent tied-arch bridge 

• Construction of a new riverwalk connection beneath the bridge 

• Full replacement of the Chicago-Halsted viaduct 

• Traffic signal modernization and a new signal at Chicago and Jefferson 

• New street lighting and landscaping throughout the corridor 

• Dedicated CTA bus lanes on Chicago Avenue 

• New protected bike lanes on Halsted Street 

Traffic Impacts 

The project limits are Chicago Avenue from Larrabee Street to Peoria Street and Halsted Street from Ancona Street. 

Halsted Street will be closed in both directions beginning August 4, 2025 

• Northbound Detour: East on Grand Avenue, north on Orleans Street, west on Division Street to return to Halsted 
• Southbound Detour: East on Division Street, south on LaSalle Drive, west on Grand Avenue to return to Halsted 

Visit transitchicago.com for details on upcoming reroutes for #8 Halsted buses.  

Also beginning August 4, 2025, Chicago Avenue will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction. This traffic pattern will remain in place through October 2025, after which a full closure of Chicago Avenue will be implemented. Additional details will be provided closer to that phase of construction. 

Additional updates will be provided throughout the project and available at Chicago.gov/CDOT and on the project website.