Latest piece of continuous river path coming into focus

A pedestrian bridge over the Chicago River between Irving Park Road and Addison Street — part of a goal to create continuous river path — is taking shape and grabbing attention.

There’s just something satisfying about watching construction projects.

And as they drive over the Chicago River, motorists on Irving Park Road and Addison Street have been casting fascinated glances down at the water in recent weeks.

The platform of a pedestrian bridge that will sweep across the river and under the Addison and Irving Park bridges, has begun to take shape.

It will connect Clark Park to the south to Horner Park to the north and allow users to avoid crossing the two busy streets.

More than 1,000 feet long and 16 feet wide, the new structure will be the longest pedestrian river bridge in the city. It will have an elevation of more than 18 feet where it crosses the river, to accommodate recreational boaters.

It’s been dubbed Riverview Bridge; Clark Park, near Lane Tech High School, is part of the area where the Riverview amusement park once stood.

Construction began in late 2017 and is expected to be complete by autumn.

The new structure will inch the city closer to a continual path along the river, though significant gaps remain.

A rendering of the Riverview Bridge pedestrian path. Construction is expected to be complete later this year.