Door to Door - 0 Line (Chicago Street Bridge and The Fox River)

The Chicago Street Bridge, West-0-East

The Fox River marks the zero-line between east and west in Elgin's numbering system.  The Chicago Street Bridge, in it's current incarnation, was built in 1939.  Until the Highland Avenue Bridge was built, it was the only span across the river in the center of the city.

It was originally part of the designated Illinois State Highway 5, which ran from East Dubuque, Illinois to Chicago. It eventually became part of US Highway 20.  After the US 20 Bypass was built in the 1960s, it was part of US Business Route Highway 20 and Illinois Route 58. After a while, BR20 was decommissioned and Route 58 termination was changed to IL Rte 25 (Liberty Street) instead of IL Rte 31 (State Street).

As a result, the only highway designation through downtown Elgin today is north and south Route 31.

The bridge contains abutments along the sidewalk jutting out over the water, providing good views up and down the river, and good places to toss a few stones or throw a fishing line.


Unfortunately, they also provide opportunities for people to toss litter into the river below.

View looking south from the Chicago Street Bridge, with the Grand Victoria Riverboat downriver.

View north from the Chicago Street Bridge, with the Highland Avenue Bridge and the Hemmens Cultural Center  upriver.