A vehicle bridge in Chicago, USA, remained stuck in a raised position for over four hours after being lifted to let a boat pass. Extreme heat caused the steel to expand, preventing the bridge from closing. Firefighters had to bring a fireboat to spray water to help reduce the heat.
This unexpected event occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time on 2 September at a bridge spanning the Chicago River near Navy Pier. The bridge was raised as scheduled to allow the Spirit of Chicago, a dining and sightseeing boat, to pass through the area.
However, after the boat passed, the bridge could not be lowered and fully closed. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) stated that the extreme heat caused thermal expansion of the bridge components, preventing it from being lowered. Ultimately, Chicago firefighters deployed a fireboat on the river and used high-pressure water jets to spray the bridge structure to cool the metal.
This method aimed to reduce the metal expansion while ground crews worked to adjust and repair the bridge’s mechanisms to safely lower it.
The incident caused severe traffic congestion on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a major Chicago road, forcing vehicles to slow down and take alternate routes, while some people had to wait near the bridge.
This event occurred during a heatwave in Chicago, when a Heat Advisory was issued. The heat index—the temperature perceived by the body—was expected to reach 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit (about 38-43 degrees Celsius).
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that afternoon temperatures soared to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), and the U.S. weather agency warned of extreme heat conditions in the area.
Officials said that such problems can occur during extreme heat. Bridge raisings scheduled in spring and fall usually happen when temperatures are not so high.
Eventually, officials managed to fully close the bridge and reopen traffic at about 14:30, after the bridge had been stuck in the raised position for over four hours. No injuries were reported.
Chicago has experienced similar issues before, with several bridges having problems due to metal expanding from heat. In past cases, officials have used water spraying to cool the structure and allow the bridge to close.
. Source:AP
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