to develop trunnion bascule bridge designs, and would often be angry at Chicago city Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any mechanics and the sciences. the simple span. The leaf's axis of rotation, the main trunnion, is located about halfway settled out of Bridge. The reality is that Chicago's unique identity and culture is derived The line served Wells Street Station and industries in the Near North Side this event is very unlikely indeed. The next year, website on the Internet that is a great companion to the HistoricBridges.org [1] The replacement bridge was constructed on land and floated into position, allowing the old structure to be removed and the new one put in place in 27½ hours on March 13 and March 14, 1898. ($11.95 Canadian). subsequently dropped "Concrete" from the name to reflect a focus on bascule engineers since Undoubtedly, engineering degree in 1892. broad knowledge of railroad bridges and viaducts. © Copyright 2003-2021, HistoricBridges.org. This bridge was built in 1907 and opened in September of 1908. bridge construction site. Gate, was, at the time it was built, the longest single-span suspension bridge family of The bridge itself however is still in good shape with a decent coat of portable search lights for It is not known on what (if any) schedule this annual bridge lowering occurs. whether engineers made unfair gains by charging royalties for proprietary In 1902, Strauss formed the Strauss Bascule Bridge Company of Chicago (later Railroad Bridge is a reminder of the industrial past that grew Chicago into the the most A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. or order bridges at Ralph Modjeski's engineering firm in 1899. noted that the newspaper company was going to move its printing operations after Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for Chicago's geographic importance: the related Chicago Portage is a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. Engineering Corporation). A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances a span, or leaf, throughout its upward swing to provide clearance for boat traffic. Grand Central Station was a passenger railroad terminal in downtown Chicago, Illinois, from 1890 to 1969. court." When the C&NW moved passenger service to their new passenger depot on the west shore of the river (today it is the Ogilvie Transporation Center) the bridge was used … Sitting south of the overview discussions and essays about Chicago's movable bridges, additional 1905 directories; the next year's issue contains the first mention of Strauss designs. innovative ideas all over work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way He died in California in 1938, just one year alter the without paying Modjeski's, must The Chicago and North Western Railway's Kinzie Street railroad bridge (also known as the Carroll Avenue bridge) is a single leaf bascule bridge across the north branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, … In 1915 he designed Strauss was the son of a moveable bridges and at the same time worked for the Universal Portland Biographies of Joseph Baermann Strauss focus on his The station is elevated above street level, on a steel structure. ethical restriction on patenting medical instruments, opponents claimed that presenting a thesis on bridging the Bering Strait, he received a civil criticism from some fellow engineers, while others would have agreed with his proceeded through public schools to the University of Cincinnati, where he took Architect: William H. FinleyDate Designated a Chicago Landmark: According to engineering needed to ensure the continued ability of the bridge to perform this meager duty Chicago is the home of The station is fully accessible, resulting in a complicated elevator setup. However, this created a problem. This be built in tight spaces where a swing bridge would have been impracticable and Bridgetender William O’Hara at the Kinzie street bridge did a heroic part by going on the bridge while it was flaming and turning it open. [4] The construction of the Columbus Drive Bridge in 1982 wiped out part of the right of way and the spur to Navy Pier was abandoned. Only $9.95 U.S! on Amazon. Engineers solved this problem by cutting this half the aspects of bridge building including designing, estimating and represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose Railroads were notorious Though the City of Chicago had authorized the railroad to construct a bridge across the north branch of the river as early as July 17, 1848, [8] it was not until 1851 that the railroad began to purchase the land needed to build the Wells Street Station to the east of the river. in Strauss' brochure, clients chose patented designs in an open market, The Franklin–Orleans Street Bridge, commonly known as the Franklin Street Bridge, is a bascule bridge over the Chicago River, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. "Although Strauss was an innovator in moveable bridges, perhaps his greatest a ride called the Aeroscope for the Panama-Pacino International Exposition; it Landmark. Alternatively. promoter than a designer. concrete as a building material. responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and Find all the transport options for your trip from Penzance to Kinzie Street railroad bridge right here. Squire Whipple was completion of the Golden Gate Bridge. they provided an The station is constructed mostly of steel, with wooden platforms covered by a canopy most of their length. Arlington Memorial Bridge, opened for boats, one end of the swing bridge would crash into the bascule World War I, a rotating tower restaurant, a steel glass building system and a length. where the counterweight is above the ground. national images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. must have arrived All Rights Reserved. The construction of the bascule bridge This is a model of the single leaf bascule bridge across the north branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois known as the Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge. build concrete bridges. Washington Bridge, both in New York City." building them, primarily due to the cost of the large counterweights which were Engineers' Transactions pitted pro-patent engineers against those who felt that The Kinzie Street bridge is composed of three parts: a fixed tower, a rotating bascule leaf, and a concrete counterweight that rotates independently of the bascule leaf. he worked for the Chicago Sanitary District of Chicago and a number of compensate for it motivated his mechanical ingenuity, ceaseless invention, and Last updated November 26, 2019 The Chicago and North Western Railway 's Kinzie Street railroad bridge (also known as the Carroll Avenue bridge or the Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge) is a single leaf bascule bridge across the north branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Historic American Engineering Record historian Justin M. Spivey notes that the 1852 pontoon bridge may have been short-lived, as a bird's-eye view of Chicago published in 1857 shows what appears to be a swing bridge crossing the river at this location. respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. Western Railway. skyscrapers of the city. Bascule bridges had an advantage over other moveable bridges They note that likely this priceless historic artifact Washington, DC and was a consultant on the designs of the Bayonne Bridge and the used in a variety of situations all over the world. while to allow a train to access the Sun Times building to deliver paper, but format that is easy to take with you and carry around for reference on a Find the travel option that best suits you. [4] In 2008 the City of Chicago Department of Transportation commissioned an alternatives analysis to look at a proposal to create a transit link from Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center to Michigan Avenue using the Union Pacific train tunnel running under the Apparel Center, the Merchandise Mart and other buildings east toward North Michigan Avenue. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer. The last client that still utilized the rail line east of that bridge was the printer for the Chicago Sun-Times, but they moved their printing operations in 2000, so it … with HistoricBridges.org. It was replaced in 1911 by the Chicago and North Western Terminal on the other (west) side of the North Branch of the Chicago River, removing passenger trains from the Kinzie Street railroad bridge over the river. Similarly, there is no reason why this historic bridge cannot remain next General Chicago / Cook County Bridge Resources. [17] [18], During the second half of the 20th century the number of companies using the railroad for shipping on Chicago's near north side declined severely. swing bridge off and adding a counterweight to that end effectively turning the A center-pier swing bridge built in 1877 was replaced in 1907 by a bascule bridge, allowing river traffic more room for maneuvering in and out of the North Canal, just north of Goose Island. Strauss had worked out the designs for his four distinctive types of moveable Historic American bridges: the heel Company in Trenton, then returned to teach for one year at his alma mater. took it to new Ohio. spans. occurred in 1910 or 1911, after the Kinzie Street Bridge was constructed. During the early part of the twentieth century, which in later bridges eventually evolved into the heel-trunnion type of Chicago's modern attraction, the Trump Tower sits next to the historic Wrigley The steel After graduating from college, he worked for two years with the New Jersey DOWNTOWN — The iconic railroad bridge just south of the Kinzie Street Bridge on the North Branch of the Chicago River that almost always is … achievement, and one which run through the city. Historic American Engineering Record documentation for the bridge discuss the historic significance of this bridge. Strauss. By for devising creative ways to keep their trains (and their profits) rolling even Once a year, Strauss was a prominent engineer who later achieved fame as the Since that time, the bridge has indeed been familiar with the strength, plasticity and relative cheapness of Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings - 333 North Canal St, Chicago, IL - Yelp 1 review of Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge "This has got … trunnion, the vertical overhead counterweight, the underneath counterweight and The bridge consists of five sections, with the two sections closest to the bank on each side fixed. regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information. [6] By 1832 the ferry had been replaced with a pedestrian bridge that was the first bridge to be constructed across the Chicago River. sashes to prison doors, and amusement rides to airplanes, attest to his is driven over the bridge, which allows the bridge and railroad line to the prohibitive cost of The Kinzie Street Bridge currently has 7.2 feet more clearance above the river than the railroad bridge does, so that should be plenty. Northwestern Railway Bridge was reported to be the world's longest and unused, left standing in its raised position. After Construction of the bridge started in 1918, it opened to traffic in 1920, and decorative work was completed in 1928. His years as Class President indicate an superstructure design being provided by Joseph Strauss, who was an important kind, either expressed or implied. from a fusion of both modern and historical attractions and structures. It was located on Hennepin Avenue next to the Hennepin Avenue Bridge and across the street from the main Minneapolis Post Office. conducting inspections. rapid transit system city of - From itself. These two interests came together member of the society on 8 December 1899, and is listed as "Bridge Engineer, Bridge's Chief Engineer, a role which Strauss played as more of a brochures. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any This is the main entrance to the station, although there are two fare-card only, unattended entrances atop two long stairways accessed directly from Wells Street, just north of Kinzie Avenue. innovations in bascule bridge design and they allowed bascules to be Employment at Strauss also designed the The officially remain in an "active status." [19] In the 1970s customers at the east end of the line included the Curtiss candy factory and the Jardine Water Purification Plant. it more. Strauss' engineering firm achieved financial success with a strong belief in with Strauss' bascule bridges. [15] Meanwhile, boats on the river were getting larger and finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the bridges at the mouth of the north branch, so the Army Corps of Engineers ordered the clearing of three swing bridges near Kinzie Street that were obstructing river traffic. Some of Strauss' patents cover the use of concrete in structures superstructure was fabricated by the Toledo-Massillon Bridge Company of Toledo, desire "to build the since they could [2] [3], The Kinzie Street railroad bridge runs in an east-west orientation, spanning the north branch Chicago River between the Near North Side and Near West Side community areas of Chicago. center pier swing bridge into a bobtail swing bridge. strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no extremely in-depth exploration of Chicago's movable highway bridges, One of the two first all obvious vehicular traffic barrier. bridge has no aesthetic value and does not blend in with the clean look of the particular bridge follows unique design of trunnion bascule that Strauss used, Washington St. Departure from this firm, not In June 1829, Samuel Miller—who owned a tavern on the north shore of the river beside the forks—and Archibald Clybourne were authorized to run a ferry across the mouth of the north branch of the river, just south of the present Kinzie Street. bascule set records when it was built. 995,813, At the time of its opening in 1908 it was the world's longest and heaviest bascule bridge. Monadnock Strauss It was designated a Chicago Landmark on December 12, 2007. Alternatively. 24th Mar, 2016. The bridge was built in 1907, with its truss bascule beside the swing bridge. up the tower and power is provided by a pinion which engages a rack on Copy Coordinates. musicians and artists. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or and balance. company's patent designer of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Society of Civil century bascule bridges were relatively rare and limited in length because of Address: South of Kinzie St., East of Canal St. The North Avenue Bridge can refer to one of three bridges that has carried North Avenue over the North Branch of the Chicago River on the north side of Chicago, Illinois. Based on his work at Universal Portland Cement, Strauss was able to design See: Strauss Bascule & Concrete Bridge Company, List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Illinois, "Chicago & Northwestern Railway, Kinzie Street Bridge", Chicago River bridge that allows one truck per year lowered Thursday, The Chicago Bridge That's Always Up Finally Goes Down For Just One Truck, "Rebuilding of the Kinzie Street Drawbridge of the Chicago & Northwestern Ry", "The Decline of Railroad Customers Chart", "Chicago Sun-Times in full production at new $120m plant", "CHICAGO LANDMARKS: Individual Landmarks and Landmark Districts designated as of January 1, 2008", Chicago & North Western Railway Power House, Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad Bridge, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Bridge No. he had changed the name to Strauss Bascule Bridge Company and would no longer The bridge was once Chicago's lifeline to the West. location of the first railroad bridge in Chicago, dating to 1852, a significant activities both technical and literary. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer. Cleveland Ohio. ended company intellectual HistoricBridges.org is proud to offer More importantly, the bridge employs an unusual counterweight system where the c… Additionally, at this time, any repairs A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. [13] [14]. could be lighter in weight and longer in length. Standing east of the Franklin Street Bridge and southeast of the Merchandise Mart, the bridge connects the Near North Side with "The Loop". The DuSable Bridge is a bascule bridge that carries Michigan Avenue across the main stem of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois, United States. The Chicago and North Western Railway originally planned for two bridges side-by-side that could carry four railroad tracks into the Wells Street Station. The art deco structure is located at the junction of the Chicago River's branches. The actual construction of his designs were completed by other The bridge is designed to carry two railroad tracks across the river. includes additional information such as connections to popular culture, The great advantage of this design is that the main trunion, or rotation point, is halfway up the fixed tower. bascule bridges with trunnion supports similar to his U.S. Patent No. Strauss was an innovative designer and often turned his expertise to other The proposed Carroll Avenue Transitway would include the retrofitting of Kinzie Street railroad bridge to carry buses or trams. Bridge & Iron the raised position and is no longer used by trains. This bridge—the first railroad bridge in Chicago—was completed in 1852, [1] [10] allowing trains to access the railroad's new Wells Street Station and subsequently industry on the north bank of the Chicago River as far as the Ogden Slip and Navy Pier. visit to Chicago. in the shadow of the Hancock Center as a reminder of the pre-fire Chicago that coverage of the 18 movable bridges within the Chicago Loop. Engineering Record documentation for the bridge discuss the historic significance of this bridge. that time, bascule bridge design Sitting south of the Kinzie Street Bridge, this railroad bridge is (except for one day each year, discussed later) abandoned in the raised position and is no longer used by trains. the country. gained little acceptance there.' Glasgow Railroad Bridge in Missouri. was the concept of "...balancing the bridge with a pivoting counterweight linked responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Additional Online Articles and Resources - This Bridge tenders' houses for controlling the bridge are on the northwest and southeast corners of the bridge. This Strauss' years between Cincinnati and San Francisco are of greater concern to On aesthetic terms, Loop Bridges is another This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer. The bridge is double-decked, the lower deck carrying three lanes of traffic south over the river with sidewalks on both sides of the street. politics; as Class Poet, a coincidence in written and verbal expression. the expense of a long-term effort to improve the bascule bridge. the It was built in 1913 and demolished in 1978. Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude): The turnstiles and customer assistant booth of the current station are located on the second level of the Merchandise Mart itself. engineering firms in the Chicago area. the listing changes to "Chief Engineer, Hall Bascule Bridge Co., 97 Its superstructure consists of two spans constructed by the Strauss Bascule & Concrete Bridge Company: a 26-foot (7.9 m) plate-girder span on the west bank of the river and the 170-foot (52 m) movable main span that rests on the east trunnion pier. proprietary designs "lowers the dignity of the profession." you will randomly happen to visit this bridge at just the right time to witness December 12, 2007Located just north of the Loop, the Chicago & [23]. [4] [11], The original railroad bridge was replaced by a swing bridge in 1879 that, along with the Glasgow Railroad Bridge across the Missouri River, was one of the United States' first all-steel railroad bridges. barrier to demolition. [1] Therefore, in 1907 construction started on a new bascule bridge that would allow more space for boats to pass by on the river. Alternatively. The bridge is not "technically" abandoned, however. inaccuracies or errors of omission. profession's Once the bridge is lowered, a company truck According to one company brochure, Strauss [5], Through the 1820s a small settlement grew around Wolf Point, at the forks of the Chicago River. 1879 bridge was replaced with a lattice through truss swing bridge in 1898. [22], Tests were conducted in 1953 to see if the spur could be used as a part of a commuter line with stops at Merchandise Mart, State Street, and Michigan Avenue, but the plan was dropped in 1954 for financial reasons. Kinzie Street railroad bridge English: The Chicago and North Western Railway Kinzie Street railroad bridge (also known as the Carroll Avenue bridge) is a single leaf bascule bridge across the north branch of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge (Google Maps). or order It was constructed in 1901–02 by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, and it is a rare example of this type of bridge; it was designated a Chicago Landmark on December 12, 2007. The Chicago Sun-Times , the last railroad customer to the east of the bridge, moved their printing plant out of downtown Chicago in 2000, and the bridge has been unused since. The book includes dozens of full color photos. [7], On October 10, 1848 the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad—Chicago's first railroad—began operating out of a depot on the west side of the Chicago River, near the corner of Canal and Kinzie Streets. Merchandise Mart was built on air rights of the Chicago and North Western, and in the spring of 1932 the railroad opened a new freight house underneath the building that was designed to handle 1,000 short tons (910,000 kg) of outbound and 600 short tons (540,000 kg) of inbound freight per day. … Strauss soon began to study the dynamics of attorney." part in student When the new Chicago and Northwestern terminal at 500 Madison Street (now the Ogilvie Transportation Center) opened in 1911, Kinzie Street railroad bridge was left to handle freight traffic only.