The bridge carries the St. Charles Air Line which itself carries freight and Amtrak traffic over the Chicago River at 16th Street. The City of New Orleans, Illini and Saluki routes use the line (after crossing the bridge, they back in to Union Station).
The park in the foreground is the extension of Ping Tom Park, and has a boathouse in which kayaks are stored.
The massive vacant parcel was once owned by Tony Rezko who was convicted of corruption and fraud.
The land is separated from that history, now, and will be developed by Related Midwest.
I can never remember the names that other people use for this land. I’ve always known it as the “Rezko lot”, so I’m sorry to perpetuate its relation to someone who was convicted of fraud and corruption.
Video was taken from my hot air balloon.