Quarried rock from the excavation of the Main Channel near Lemont that will be used for masonry walls and bridge abutments and piers, 1895. (MWRD photo, Geiger set, image 144)
Fabricated steel delivered to the construction site of the Belt Line Railroad Bridge over the Main Channel in Section K, June 16, 1900. The superstructure of some of the bridges was not completed until after the river was reversed. (MWRD photo, disc 15, image 25)
The temporary trestle construction to route active railroad tracks around the construction site of a permanent bridge, June 27, 1899. This is the crossing for three rail lines that eventually became the Eight-Track Bridge over the Main Channel in Section O. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 25)
April 28, 1899. The temporary trestle constructed for the Belt Line or Western Illinois Railroad Bridge over the Main Channel in Section K. The temporary trestle is not yet completed in the view and the train is crossing the original tracks on original ground not yet excavated for the Main Channel. This bridge was not completed until 1901, but the foundations, center pier and abutments were completed by the end of 1899. (MWRD photo, disc 12, image 2)
September 7, 1898. A pile foundation for a railroad bridge abutment in the Earth or the Earth and Rock Section where bedrock was not close enough to the surface for the foundation to be built on rock. Hence, wooden piles were driven into the glacial till. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 43)
This September 7, 1898, photo shows the deep water-filled excavation for a railroad bridge center pier foundation in the center, the pile foundation for the abutment in the foreground, and the temporary timber trestle to the right. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 44)
September 7, 1898. Work in progress to build the masonry center pier and one abutment for a bridge over the Main Channel in the Earth or Earth and Rock Section. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 42)
September 7, 1898. The completed masonry abutment for a bridge over the Main Channel. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 39)
September 11, 1899. The excavation for an abutment for the Eight-Track Railroad Bridge over the Main Channel in Section O. The temporary timber trestle crossing is in the background. In the distant background beyond the trestle is the top of the center pier tower for the Western Avenue/Southwestern Boulevard Bridge. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 73)
This photo taken September 11, 1899, shows a wide view of foundation work for the Eight-Track Bridge over the Main Channel in Section O. Temporary timber trestles were built on each side of the work area to route the three rail lines using this crossing around the construction site. This was another bridge not completed until late 1900. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 75)
September 11, 1899. The laying of masonry stone on top of a concrete cap on wooden piles for the north pier of the Eight-Track Railroad Bridge in Section O. This pier will support a fixed truss spanning from the north abutment and one end of the four bascule spans across the Main Channel. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 72)
September 14, 1898. The preparation of the bedrock surface for the foundation of the swing pier for the Santa Fe Railroad Bridge over the Main Channel in Section 8. This view, taken from the embankment for the temporary crossing, is looking upstream with the pier located on the northwest side of the channel. Towers for cableways for removing rock from the channel excavation are seen in the left background. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 55)
December 8, 1898. The installation of the rollers for the swing bridge turntable for the Santa Fe Railroad in Section 8. This view, looking southwesterly, also shows the rock wall left in the Main Channel excavation to support the temporary timber trestle for the railroad, and beyond is the top of the temporary timber trestle for the Lemont Road (Stephen Street) crossing. A cableway tower remains in the left upper background. (MWRD photo, disc 11, image 5)
February 16, 1899. The erection of the superstructure for the Lemont Road Swing Bridge over the Main Channel in Section 8. The temporary timber trestles for the crossings for the Santa Fe Railroad and Lemont Road are also shown, the former in the foreground and the latter in the left background. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 21)
March 7, 1899. A test of the swing for the Lemont Road Swing Bridge in Section 8. The temporary trestle for the Santa Fe Railroad and railroad embankment rock is in the foreground. Part of a cableway tower is seen to the extreme left. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 56)
February 6, 1899. The beginning of the erection of the superstructure for a center pier swing bridge. (MWRD photo, disc 7, image 96)
February 24, 1899. The erection of a center pier swing bridge, most likely the Santa Fe Railroad in Section N. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 35)
February 24, 1899. Further erection of the superstructure for a center pier swing bridge. The temporary bridge is to the extreme left. (MWRD photo, disc 8, image 36)
September 8, 1898. Erection of the superstructure of a center pier swing bridge in the Earth Section. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 47)
September 8, 1898. Erection of the center tower for a center pier swing bridge. These types of bridges are essentially two truss bridges connected by the center tower. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 50)
December 12, 1898. The partially completed superstructure for the Chicago, Madison and Northern Railroad Center Pier Bridge in Section O. The excavation of the soil left for construction at this crossing is being removed. (MWRD photo, disc 11, image 15)
September 14, 1898. The erection of the superstructure of the Santa Fe Railroad center pier swing bridge over the Main Channel in Section G. (MWRD photo, disc 5, image 61)
October 11, 1898. The completed Chicago Terminal Railroad Center Pier Swing Bridge over the Main Channel in Section E. The temporary timber trestle has not yet been removed. (MWRD photo, disc 6, image 1)
November 15, 1898. The placement of steel girders atop masonry piers for the Santa Fe Railroad crossing of the Des Plaines River adjacent to Section 8. The temporary timber trestle crossing is seen to the left. (MWRD photo, disc 10, image 84)
April 13, 1899. The raising of the truss spans for the Chicago Terminal Railroad Bridge over the Des Plaines River adjacent to Section E. This bridge didn’t have to be replaced, but had to be raised to accommodate raising the grade of the rail line for the crossing of the Main Channel. One through truss was added as shown in Photo 10.26. (MWRD photo, disc 11, image 84)
May 2, 1899. The collapse of the raised spans for the Chicago Terminal Railroad crossing of the Des Plaines River due to shifting false work supporting the spans. (MWRD photo, disc 12, image 16)
September 15, 1899. The raised truss spans for the Chicago Terminal Railroad crossing of the Des Plaines River. The masonry work on three of the raised piers has been completed and work is in progress on the nearest pier on the right. A through truss has been added on the left to enlarge the opening under the bridge for increased flow in the river. (MWRD photo, disc 13, image 2)
August 22, 1899. The final grading of the road bed approaching a new bridge over the Main Channel. (MWRD photo, disc 9, image 58)