|
Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
|
Halsted Street North Branch Bridge |
Bascule (Truss) |
Halsted Street |
Cook County, IL |
Chicago |
Chicago River North Branch Canal |
|
Technical Facts |
|
Construction Date |
Structure Length | Roadway Width | Approach Spans | Navigational Vertical Clearance |
| 1909 | 301 Feet | 36.1 Feet | 4 Steel Stringers | 13.78 Feet |
This bridge was the eighth bridge built to the first bascule bridge design seen in Chicago. Note that there are not eight bridges of this design remaining in Chicago however, thanks to things like the North Avenue Bridge. The superstructure for this bridge was built by the Jules E. Roentheld Company, and the substructure was built by the Fitzsimmons and Connell Company both of Chicago.
HABS HAER mentions that this bridge, when built, had a "displayed an aesthetic concern that was totally lacking." While the large, truss-filled bridge might have been considered an eyesore back in the early 20th century, I think the bridge can be considered very beautiful, and among Chicago's most aesthetic of bridges here in the 21st century. In a world where simplicity and lack of aesthetic concern is the order of the day in modern bridge design, this bridge displays a complex geometric art not seen even in the so-called aesthetic North Avenue Bridge replacement. From the curved shape of the overall bridge, to the truss configurations, to the extensive v-lacing and lattice on this bridge, the complexity is evident. As one of the largest of this early bascule design seen in Chicago, the bridge is even more impressive. While the complexity and massive design of the trusses might have not looked as good in a 1900s city filled with similar industrial features, today, the bridge stands out as a complex and intricate work of art compared to the simple concrete and steel beam bridges built today. I will also point out that the bridge actually did try to incorporate some design that the builders were trying to use to make the bridge more acceptable to the people of the time. These designs today continue to add beaty to the bridge today. The knee braces that are on the portal bracing overhead at each end of the bridge are curved and feature circle designs cut out of them. Also, the sway/portal bracing has an arched design on top as well.
