Ralph Modjeski

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According to Wikipedia, Ralph Modjeski (January 27, 1861 – June 26, 1940) was a Polish-born American engineer who achieved prominence as a pre-eminent bridge designer in the United States. In 1893, in Chicago, Modjeski opened his own design office, which still exists as "Modjeski & Masters," after it was joined in 1924 by Frank M. Masters. Modjeski's first project as chief engineer was Government Bridge over Mississippi River at Rock Island, IL. He took over the mis-designed Quebec Bridge after the 1907 disaster that killed 75 workers, and succeeded in creating the longest truss span in the world. Modjeski was world-famous as a designer of bridges and built nearly 40 bridges spanning the great rivers of North America. He trained succeeding generations of American bridge designers and builders, including Joseph B. Strauss. Modjeski was considered "America's greatest bridge builder." He was the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees.


Arsenal Bridge (Scott County, Iowa)
Engineer, 1896
Pratt through truss bridge over Mississippi River on 2 lanes of traffic and a single rail line in Davenport
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Celilo Bridge (Wasco County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1912
Vertical lift bridge over Columbia River on Oregon Trunk Railroad Line in Celilo, OR and Wishram, WA
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Columbia River Bridge (Clark County, Washington)
Engineer, 1908
Swing span through truss bridge over the Columbia River
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Columbia Slough Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1908
Pratt through truss bridge over Columbia Slough on BNSF Railway in Portland
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Crooked River Bridge (Jefferson County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1911
Steel arch bridge over Crooked River on BNSF/Union Pacific Railroad in Terrebonne
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Oregon Slough Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1908
Swing span through truss bridge over Columbia River - Oregon Slough on BNSF Railway in Portland
Open to traffic

B.N.S.F. - Willamette River Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Built 1908
Vertical lift bridge over Willamette River on BNSF Railway Line in Portland
Open to traffic

Broadway Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1912
Rall-Bascule lift bridge over Willamette River on Broadway Street in Portland
Open to traffic

East Street Bridge (Wood County, West Virginia)
Designer, 1907
Lost Through truss bridge over Little Kanawha River on West Virginia 14A (Alternate 14)
Replaced by new bridge

Fessenden Street Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1909
Warren deck truss bridge over BNSF Railway on Fessenden Street in Portland
Open to traffic

Frisco Bridge (Shelby County, Tennessee)
Built 1892
Cantilevered through truss railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Memphis
Open to railroad traffic

Harahan Bridge (Shelby County, Tennessee)
Built 1916
Cantilevered through truss railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Memphis
Open to railroad traffic on two tracks; road deck abandoned

McKinley Bridge (St. Louis, Missouri)
Built 1910
Through truss bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis
Open to traffic

North Lombard Street Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Engineer, 1909
Warren deck truss bridge over the BNSF Railroad on N. Lombard St. in Portland
Open to traffic

Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge (Dutchess County, New York)
1907 rehabilitation, 1888
Massive cantilevered deck truss bridge over the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland
Open to pedestrians

Thebes Bridge (Alexander County, Illinois)
Built 1905
Cantilevered through truss railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Thebes
Open to railroad traffic on two tracks

Willamette Blvd. Bridge (Multnomah County, Oregon)
Built 1909
Warren deck truss bridge over BNSF Railway on Willamette Blvd. in Portland
Open to traffic

Wissahickon Memorial Bridge (Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania)
Engineer, 1931
Open-spandrel arch bridge over Wissahickon Creek on Henry Avenue
Open to traffic