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Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Gigantum.net
Politics

Popular downtown Chicago bridge stuck in up position due to heat

Crews even tried spraying the bridge with water in an apparent attempt to cool it down.

· 165 words
The the Lake Shore Drive Bridge in downtown Chicago stretches over the Chicago River. High temperatures caused the bridge to get stuck in the up position on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2026. (WGN)
The the Lake Shore Drive Bridge in downtown Chicago stretches over the Chicago River. High temperatures caused the bridge to get stuck in the up position on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2026. (WGN)

CHICAGO ( WGN ) — Drivers in downtown Chicago were facing backups and delays after a popular bridge became stuck in the up position amid high temperatures.

The Lake Shore Drive Bridge, stretching across the Chicago River on the city’s easternmost side, has been unable to close entirely, according to the Chicago Office of Emergency Communications.

Lake Shore Drive serves as a major thoroughfare for those traveling into and around Chicago’s downtown.

Officials say crews are working to make the necessary adjustments to safely close the bridge and reopen the roadway.

Heat has caused the bridge to stick open. Crews could be seen dousing the bridge with water at around 11:50 a.m. local time in an apparent attempt to cool it down.

High temperatures in the city were forecast to be in the 90s on Wednesday with heat indices reaching into triple digits. A heat advisory remains in effect for Chicago and the surrounding area until 9 p.m. CT, according to meteorologists at Nexstar’s WGN.

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