Chicago Contractor Rushes To Repair 100-Year-Old Lift Bridge

Photo by Tudor Van Hampton

The U.S. Coast Guard gave Illinois Constructors Corp. just five days to make critical repairs to a 1912-era railroad bridge on Chicago's South Side, but the $1-million job took seven.

The U.S. Coast Guard gave Illinois Constructors Corp. just five days to make critical repairs to a 1912-era railroad bridge on Chicago's South Side, but the $1-million job took seven. "The unknown is the biggest challenge," says Rusy Micheff, ICC's operations manager. Keeping the bridge open to rail traffic, workers replaced a fatigued shaft that rotates a 60,000-lb cable drum atop the 220-ft-tall movable bridge. The drum had to be bored out to accept a new shaft, causing delays.

After a short stint as a freelance contributor to ENR, Tudor joined the editorial staff in 2002 and was a managing editor. His areas of expertise included construction equipment, trucks, tools, materials and global construction. He was a certified crane operator and reported heavy construction news in the U.S. and outside—including Europe, Dubai, India and China.

Post a comment to this article

How can you make AI work for your team? Unlock new levels of collaboration by leveraging AI to accelerate contract negotiations, mitigate risks, and streamline project preparation and execution. In this webinar, hear first-hand how industry pros improved negotiation outcomes, resolved sticking points faster, and aligned their teams for project success.

Sponsored by:

Join us for Groundbreaking Women in Construction (GWIC), returning to New York City on February 24-25, 2025! This conference unites women across the construction industry—from project managers to executives—to connect, learn, and advance in a supportive environment. Dive into educational sessions covering innovations in tech, career development, and DEI. Enjoy unique networking events and collaborative discussions designed to empower and inspire.