Granite Embarks on Rehabilitation of Historic Lake Street Bascule Bridge

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Granite (NYSE:GVA) has begun construction of an approximately $138 million rehabilitation project, awarded by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) for the iconic Lake Street Bascule Bridge in Chicago, Illinois. The project received funding from CDOT and was added to Granite’s first quarter CAP.

Originally built in 1916, this landmark double-deck, double-leaf, moveable bridge plays a vital role in Chicago’s transportation network, carrying vehicles, pedestrians, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses on its lower level, and CTA’s Green and Pink Line trains on its upper level. Granite will construct the bridge to match the look of the original structure and preserve its historical appearance within the community.

The rehabilitation project encompasses several key improvements, including full replacement of the double-decked trunnion bascule bridge over the Chicago River. In addition to necessary substructure rehabilitation, the project includes replacement of the upper bridge level CTA tracks and upgrades to the movable bridge mechanical and electrical systems. The project also features restoration of the historic bridge houses, while maintaining the significant architectural character of the landmark.

A key highlight of working on the world’s first double-deck trunnion bascule bridge is that construction of the new bridge leaves will occur off-site, and each leaf will be transported to its permanent location during separate “float-in” outages. To facilitate installation, two 12-day CTA Green and Pink Line service outages are planned for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Throughout the project duration, the team must maintain the functional operation of one bridge leaf as required by federal regulations and the United States Coast Guard.

“This collaboration with CDOT to rehabilitate one of Chicago’s century-old, iconic movable bridges underscores Granite’s strategic commitment to the Chicago market,” said Granite Vice President of Regional Operations, Michael Punches. “By leveraging our specialized expertise in movable bridge rehabilitation, we continue to deliver lasting value to the City’s infrastructure.”

Construction began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed in December 2027.

About Granite

Granite is America’s Infrastructure Company™. Incorporated since 1922, Granite (NYSE:GVA) is one of the largest diversified construction and construction materials companies in the United States as well as a full-suite civil construction provider. Granite’s Code of Conduct and strong Core Values guide the Company and its employees to uphold the highest ethical standards. Granite is an industry leader in safety and an award-winning firm in quality and sustainability. For more information, visit the Granite website, graniteconstruction.com, and connect with Granite on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.