Bridge Facts

The City of Chicago maintains thirty-seven moveable bridges. Thirty-two are on the Main, North, and South branches of the Chicago River; five are on the Calumet River.

Downtown bridges open approximately 100 times a year from April to November. Calumet River bridges open 5-6,000 times each year for freighter vessels and watercraft.

Bridge openings take eight to ten minutes—from the time the gates lower to the moment traffic is clear to cross. The amount of time depends on how many vessels need to pass.

Seven of Chicago’s moveable bridges are manned 24-hours a day. Of them, five are on the Calumet River because the Calumet harbor continues to be this region’s busiest port.

The red color of Chicago bridges recreates the original hue, a mix of red lead paint (to prevent rusting) and a black powder (to tone down the red).