Michelle Buziak

Illustrator, After Effects The Canal Street Bridge, previously known as the Pennsylvania railroad bridge, was constructed by The Pennsylvania Railroad Company and was completed in 1915. The bridge is the only vertical lift bridge that can be found along the Chicago River. It functions much like an elevator, utilizing counter weights and pulleys to lift the track as a platform to the top of the structure. Unusual for most bridges, this one has a 47˚ skew. Currently the bridge is owned by Amtrak and also serves Metra and Norfolk Southern. The best vantage point to admire this structure is at Ping Tom Park in Chicago.