Blue Island’s Chatham Street Bridge officially opened this week, completing the second of two major bridge reconstructions in the south suburban community.
The bike and walking path bridge will serve as the first leg of the eastern portion of the Cal-Sag Trail. In July, state and local officials celebrated the opening of the Division Street Bridge, located less than half a mile east of the Chatham Street bridge along the Cal-Sag River.
Residents and officials ceremoniously crossed the city-owned bridge after a ribbon cutting Monday on the south end of the site.
“This bridge will bring new life, new vitality to our community,” Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas told the dozens gathered.
Cal-Sag’s Trail eventually will connect 26 miles of pathways throughout the Southland. Officials said the Chatham Street Bridge serves as the starting point for the eastern portion, which will end in Burnham.
Vargas said the renovated bridge draw tourists and increases the value of waterfront property along the Cal-Sag River. He also expects the trial will help boost the business corridor along Western Avenue.
“Some people thought is was a bad investment. What do you think? It’s a good investment, correct?” Vargas asked the enthusiastic crowd on Monday.
The Chatham Street Bridge was built in 1964 but fell into disrepair due to neglect. The state closed the bridge to traffic in 2010.
Little progress was made fixing both Chatham Street and Division Street bridges until the summer of 2013, shortly after Vargas was elected mayor. State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, began working with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the newly-elected Vargas to secure funding for the stalled bridge projects.
Vargas and his administration made a promise in 2013 to open the Chatham Street and Division Street Bridges, Rita said.
“It was a few months ago that we were standing a few feet away at the grand opening of the Division Street Bridge,” Rita said.
In March, Blue Island was awarded a $1.6 million grant to finish the final phase of renovation for the Chatham Street Bridge. A few months later, the Division Street Bridge reopened to traffic in August following an $8 million renovation.
The multiphase Chatham Street project spanning made lighting, landscaping, street resurfacing and drainage improvements, as well as put in new sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly lighting and benches to the pedestrian-only bridge. Chatham Street previously was used by motorists.
The opening of the bridges show “we have made that commitment to the infrastructure in the City of Blue Island,” Vargas said.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
