RECOGNIZING THE 95"' ANNIVERSARY OF THE JACKSON BASCULE BRIDGE
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago is a remarkable metropolis of many natural and manmade wonders that has grown according to the heralded plans of our great engineers and architects as well as through the enterprise of those who are today unknown and yet unnamed in our history. Our city is recognized worldwide for its buildings, boulevards and bridges; and
WHEREAS, January 29, 201 1, will mark the 9511' anniversary of the trunnion bascule bridge spanning the Chicago River at West Jackson Boulevard. Opened in 1916, this $425,000 project was the first downtown bridge to fully incorporate the aesthetic ideals of "The Plan of Chicago of 1909" and provided a span without supports causing obstructions in the river. Prior to the plan, utility was the primary consideration in bridge design. Following the plan, bridges were designed to be both beautiful and utilitarian; and
WHEREAS, Two key elements of bridge aesthetics during the early 20lh Century were the operator houses and the location of deck support. Operator houses were designed to be pleasing to the eye and decorated with ornament while the structural support of the bridge was below the deck; and
WHEREAS, The bridge was built under the supervision of the Sanitary District, City Engineers and the Chicago Plan Commission. Its structural design was executed by the Joseph E. Strauss Bascule Bridge Co., the superstructure was erected by the Strobel Steel Construction Co. and the substructure was built by the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. The steel came from the Mount Vernon Steel Co., Mount Vernon, Ohio. Its operator houses were designed by Edward H. Bennett, who had earlier co-authored "The Plan of Chicago of 1909" with Daniel H. Burnham. Aesthetic features added as much as 10 percent to the overall project cost; and
WHEREAS, In the early years of its service, this bridge was raised more than 2,500 times annually, lt is estimated that over its lifetime it has b...
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