The bridge begins at the Great Lawn of Millennium Park, crosses over Monroe Street and connects to the third floor of the West Pavilion of the Modern Wing, the Art Institute of Chicago's newest wing.

The Bridgeway features anti-slip walkways and heating elements to prevent the formation of ice and meets ADA standards for universal accessibility.

[3] The Nichols Bridgeway was added to the master plan of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2005.

Arup and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., received an Award of Merit for their design work for the Nichols Bridgeway.

[5] In the 2012 romantic comedy, The Vow, the characters run from the Art Institute of Chicago across the Bridgeway to Millennium Park, where they kiss under Cloud Gate.