The annual fall Chicago River bridge lifts begin Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., according to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), bringing temporary traffic disruptions for drivers and pedestrians as sailboats return to winter storage.
Chicago River Bridge Lift Schedule and Routes
CDOT oversees the seasonal boat runs each spring and fall. During the operations, bridges are raised one at a time in succession from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the 18th Street Bridge along the South Branch of the Chicago River. Each individual lift typically takes between eight and 12 minutes, during which vehicle and pedestrian traffic is completely halted. The fall schedule runs primarily on Wednesdays and Saturdays through mid-November.
According to CDOT, the scheduled fall 2025 bridge lift dates and times are:
- Wednesday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 4 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 8 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 11 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 15 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 18 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 22 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, October 25 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, October 29 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 1 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 5 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 8 at 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, November 15 at 9:00 a.m.
Lake Street Bridge Rehabilitation Disruptions
In addition to the standard boat runs, drivers should anticipate extra bridge lift activity on October 14, 15, 21, and 24 due to ongoing rehabilitation work on the 110-year-old Lake Street Bridge, CDOT reported. The construction on the span also impacts public transit riders. Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Green and Pink line train service will be suspended between the Clinton and Clark/Lake stations for nearly two weeks between October 13 and the morning of October 26. CDOT stated that the CTA will provide dedicated shuttle buses and directional signage to help commuters find alternative travel options during the shutdown.
Seasonal Timing and Recent Infrastructure Challenges
The city schedules its seasonal bridge lifts during the spring and fall because mild temperatures are more favorable for mechanical operations. A CDOT spokesperson noted that scheduling around milder weather helps prevent mechanical issues, following an incident in early September when a couple of Chicago bridges got stuck in “up” positions during a particularly hot day, halting downtown traffic.
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