Dearborn Street Bridge

Dearborn Street Bridge

Customer: City of Chicago 

Project: Dearborn Street Bridge 

Location: Chicago, IL 

Project Owner: Emilie Giraudon, Chicago DOT Chief Bridge Engineer 

Architectural/Engineering Firm: Collins Engineering 

General Contractor: City of Chicago 

Product Used: Galvanized 5inch, 4-way welded diagonal open grid deck

The Dearborn Street Bridge, a central artery in downtown Chicago, needed critical maintenance. Catering to high traffic volumes, the existing deck had reached the end of its useful life and required replacement. Frontier Gratings was entrusted with this task and delivered a solution that was not only effective but also innovative.

The project spanned 10,000 square feet and was subject to numerous complexities due to its location and heavy use. Frontier Gratings used a galvanized 5″, 4-way welded diagonal open grid deck, known for its durability and resilience. The unique feature of this project was the use of pipe sleeves that were shop-welded into holes cut through the grid deck. This provided top-side access for field bolting grid to structural steel supports, simplifying initial installation and any future maintenance.

Our commitment to excellence ensured that we executed the replacement without causing major disruption to the daily traffic that relies on the Dearborn Street Bridge. The result was a durable, high-quality solution that stands up to heavy, ongoing use and will serve the city of Chicago for years to come. The success of this project underscores Frontier Gratings’ mission to connect people and provide quality solutions that stand the test of time.