The St. Charles Airline and Baltimore & Ohio bascule bridges sit as a relic of Chicago’s industrial legacy. Since 1930, this crossing has served as a vital intersection for transportation and will continue to do so with future connections to the Lakefront, Paseo Trail, and Water Taxi network. The “St. Charles Raceway” pays homage to the past while looking toward a recreational future for the Chicago River.
Through a network of pivoting bridges that float along the South Branch, this stretch of river becomes a stadium for boating and swim races. Preserved in its upright condition, the Baltimore & Ohio Bridge extends active opportunities with a rock climbing wall and zip lines spanning across the river. From industry to mixed use, the Chicago River has the potential to support urban communities. The St. Charles raceway puts this vision into action.
Drag the slider left and right to see how this site looks now compared to if this idea were built.
