Canal Street Railroad Bridge

The only lift bridge of its kind over the Chicago River, built 1914 as the heaviest US lift bridge of its era, now a Chicago Landmark

The Canal Street Railroad Bridge, also known as the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, spans the south branch of the Chicago River and stands as a rare witness to Chicago's early railroad era. Built in 1914, its 1,500-ton main span was the heaviest lift bridge in the United States at the time of its completion. As the only lift bridge of its kind over the Chicago River, it remains a singular feat of engineering. Designated a Chicago Landmark in 2007, it is no longer in active rail service but offers enthusiasts of Chicago's infrastructure history a remarkable glimpse into the city's industrial past.