Alderman Reilly is pleased to provide an update on the exciting Chicago Riverwalk construction project. The Riverwalk design plans include the build out of six blocks from State Street west to Lake Street with distinctive identities and purpose, and will create a riverside pedestrian path from Lake Street all the way to the lakefront.

Construction activities, which began last Fall, are currently underway from State Street to LaSalle Street. Foundation installation is progressing, and a steel sheet piling installation, which will create a new wall for the Riverwalk, is expected to begin the week of March 24.  

Soon, crews will begin the removal of the concrete overhang at the southwest corner of the Dearborn Street Bridge. The concrete stairway on the west side of the Clark Street Bridge will be removed along with the existing Riverwalk concrete slab between State Street and La Salle Street. Excavation will continue on this portion of the Riverwalk between La Salle Street and Dearborn Street, and steel sheet piling will also begin in this next section.

In order to accommodate construction underneath the bridges, CDOT will conduct 3 separate, temporary bridge closures, of approximately 7 days each. The first bridge closure, of the Clark Street Bridge, is expected for mid-April, with the Dearborn Street and State Street bridges to follow. Once CDOT has finalized the bridge closure schedule, it will be published in a future Reilly Reports with detailed closure and detour information.

The Riverwalk will create an entertainment and recreation destination that will provide a variety of programming options in order to develop and activate the sites along the main branch of the Chicago River. Additional amenities along the Riverwalk may include accommodation for tour, charter or dinner cruise boats; facilities for human-powered boating; bike rentals; cafes and restaurants; retail - particularly of a cultural or environmental nature; educational facilities; and other types of family-friendly concessions.

Currently, the City is requesting submissions from managers/operators of recreational, cultural, entertainment, restaurant and retail operations to assist with the planning, development, ongoing operations and management of the Chicago Riverwalk. The selected operator/manager will assist the City with the key aspects of the Riverwalk, including program development, program management, retail management and property operations and management.

Construction of the Riverwalk and accompanying amenities is expected to be substantially completed in 2016.