41.85800000, -87.63800000
Drawbridge / movable Railroad bridge
WaterwaySouth Branch Chicago River
Route SegmentIllinois / Chicago
Route VariantInland Rivers / Chicago or Cal-Sag
State / ProvinceIL
Nearest CityChicago
Mile MarkerRM 323.4
Bridge TypeLift railroad
Source Confidencemedium
What Boaters Should Know
PFW&C Railroad Bridge on South Branch Chicago Rivernear Chicago, IL; closed clearance about 11.1 ft. Very low closed clearance.
Clearance And Opening Details
Vertical Clearance Closed11.10 ft
Vertical Clearance Open120.00 ft
Horizontal Clearance156.00 ft
VHF ChannelNot verified
PhoneNot verified
Last Verified2026-06-08
Bridge contact information has not been verified yet. Confirm current opening procedures before transit.
Verify against current water level / bridge gauge before transit.
Opening / Contact Notes
- Opening Schedule
- Lift bridge; verify rail/opening status.
- Operator / Contact
- Not verified
Navigation And Regulatory Notes
- Air Draft Notes
- Closed/air-draft clearance: 11.1 ft. Open clearance: 120 ft. Datum/reference: Low Operating Level / Flat Pool; NGVD 1929. Clearance band: Route-limiting / Critical
- Navigation Notes
- Lift bridge; verify rail/opening status. Open clearance high when lifted; rail operations may affect passage. Closed/air-draft clearance: 11.1 ft. Open clearance: 120 ft. Datum/reference: Low Operating Level / Flat Pool; NGVD 1929. Clearance band: Route-limiting / Critical Lift bridge; verify rail/opening status.
- Regulatory Notes
- Lift bridge; verify rail/opening status. Open clearance high when lifted; rail operations may affect passage.
Planning Considerations
Confirm your vessel air draft, current water levels, bridge signage, official charts, bridge schedules, Local Notices to Mariners, and any VHF or phone procedures before approaching this bridge. If the bridge is movable, build extra time into your route plan for opening windows, traffic, restrictions, weather, and communication delays.