CHICAGO | General Developments - Page 253

ChicagoChicago · #**5041** Posted **Oct 10, 2008, 3:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryc

October 6, 2008
October 7, 2008
Another crane coming down the river

Great shots. Interesting picture on Wells. I guess I haven't been paying attention, but it looks like they've started repair work on the Wells St. bridge.

I was on the #11 bus one morning a few weeks ago when they called out an emergency reroute to LaSalle St, because the bridge was not structurally sound for buses. I thought that was pretty funny considering they were still allowing trains to pass. Anyway, I suppose it had something to do with the decking on the bridge, because they continue to allow cars on it, but no buses.

ChicagoChicago · #**5042** Posted **Oct 10, 2008, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

I'm sure it's angled to avoid some obstacle... indeed, it might even be a freight tunnel. My map of the system shows a tunnel running diagonally from Michigan/Wacker to Rush/North Water (Trump's plaza) which would run directly underneath this site.

Many freight tunnels have been commandeered by ComEd and AT&T, since it's a lot cheaper to run utility lines in these tunnels than to build whole new conduits underground. In fact, these utility companies have pumped out many of the tunnels and installed bulkheads between the dry and flooded sections. Hitting a tunnel could not only cause flooding, but also power and phone blackouts in River North and along the Mag Mile.

I would love to tour one of those old tunnels. Pretty crazy that there was such an expansive network.

jjk1103 · #**5043** Posted **Oct 10, 2008, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolarWind

Great shot, Harry!

....are they going to do the underbridge connection under Wabash ? ...I know they are doing the Michigan Ave under bridge but I though budget constraints had stopped the planned connection under Wabash ? ....does anyone have the answer ?

harryc · #**5044** Posted **Oct 10, 2008, 11:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk1103

....are they going to do the underbridge connection under Wabash ? ...I know they are doing the Michigan Ave under bridge but I though budget constraints had stopped the planned connection under Wabash ? ....does anyone have the answer ?

They are definitely getting ready to pull out those pilings ( photos later ).

jjk1103 · #**5045** Posted **Oct 10, 2008, 11:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryc

They are definitely getting ready to pull out those pilings ( photos later ).

.....why would they pull the piling out under State St ? .there are no pilings under the Wabash Bridge and THAT is the bridge that is (was) scheduled to get an under-bridge connection ...not State Street ? (not this year anyway) .....maybe Daley is already spending the Midway money ?!

ardecila · #**5046** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 1:27 AM**

^^ Now that the pilings have been burned, they won't do a very good job of keeping boats from crashing into the bridge.

jjk1103 · #**5047** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 2:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

^^ Now that the pilings have been burned, they won't do a very good job of keeping boats from crashing into the bridge.

..that depends how bad they were burned...

brian_b · #**5048** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 2:49 AM**

I wonder when the last time the Fire Department boat was actually used.

aic4ever · #**5049** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 6:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk1103

....are they going to do the underbridge connection under Wabash ? ...I know they are doing the Michigan Ave under bridge but I though budget constraints had stopped the planned connection under Wabash ? ....does anyone have the answer ?

If you look back at the pictures you have your answer. Walsh Construction is the one doing the angled pille and that is at Michigan Ave. Rausch Construction is working at a different bridge, which appears to for sure be Wabash given the proximity to Trump in the background.

harryc · #**5050** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 5:12 PM**

6:54am - note the oil sheen spreading out already.

The old casing

There was an asphalt cap.

Piling pulling stuff - this was on site before the fire.

haurb · #**5051** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 5:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbotnyse

this happened this morning.

Are you sure about that? because I was definitely watching the fire department hose that same piling down.

Ha! I think I wrote down "yesterday" when I mean "today". Lets just call it "Thursday night" instead.

the urban politician · #**5052** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 7:06 PM**

I just made a startling revelation. There is no way in heck Blair Kamin isn't one of the Chicago forumers. I mean, the guy does this for a living, and I would argue that the SSP/SSC forums are some of the best construction/architecture discussion panels in existence.

I'm not going to pry. But I know you're out there, Blair..

bnk · #**5053** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 8:09 PM**

Piling fire
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / October 10, 2008)

Workers try unsuccessfully to remove the metal cap from fire-engulfed pilings near a construction site on the Chicago River at State Street Friday morning.

jjk1103 · #**5054** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 10:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

I just made a startling revelation. There is no way in heck Blair Kamin isn't one of the Chicago forumers. I mean, the guy does this for a living, and I would argue that the SSP/SSC forums are some of the best construction/architecture discussion panels in existence.

I'm not going to pry. But I know you're out there, Blair..

...well, if you look at the very next post by "BNK" ...Blair N. Kamin ?!

jpIllInoIs · #**5055** Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 11:22 PM**

^I had the exact same thought.

Nowhereman1280 · #**5056** Posted **Oct 12, 2008, 1:23 AM**

Funny that BNK is always the first to post stuff from the Tribune isn't it?

the urban politician · #**5057** Posted **Oct 12, 2008, 1:37 AM**

^ It ain't Bnk. I know..

Ch.G, Ch.G · #**5058** Posted **Oct 12, 2008, 2:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ It ain't Bnk. I know..

It's obviously honte!!!

Nowhereman1280 · #**5059** Posted **Oct 12, 2008, 6:08 AM**

^^^ No, its not Honte either. I bet its TUP and he is trying to use reverse psychology to cover it up...

denizen467 · #**5060** Posted **Oct 12, 2008, 6:42 AM**

^ Based on writing styles and on life experience revealed in writings, Blair Kamin and honte are totally distinct persona, but it would be fun to know if ya got proof positive..

Anyway for what it's worth, in the past bnk has mentioned working in Elgin; something about the new energy-efficient hospital out there. It's possible Blair Kamin could just be a silent lurker. Or an occasionally-surfacing lurker, like "observer", who used to chime in like once every couple months.