In 1908, a simple hand-operated pontoon bridge marked the first crossing at Torrence Avenue. Can you picture it, this earliest iteration of the Torrence Avenue Bridge? It offered a mere 45-foot passage for ships on the Calumet River. Just five years later, the burgeoning traffic demanded an upgrade. The pontoon bridge was modified to a wider 70-foot passage and motorized with gasoline power. This unassuming bridge diligently served, opening and closing a staggering 32,312 times between 1908 and 1937, as documented by the Chicago Public Works Department. Now, let your gaze settle on the current structure, the Torrence Avenue Bridge as it stands today. This vertical lift bridge, completed in 1938, replaced its pontoon predecessor. It’s a unique landmark, the only non-bascule bridge built by the Chicago Public Works Department. The decision to build a vertical lift bridge was driven by practical considerations. The bridge crosses the Calumet River at an oblique angle. A bascule bridge would have required a significantly longer span, around 320 feet, a feat beyond the city’s capabilities at the time. Furthermore, the industrial location prioritized functionality over aesthetics. The vertical lift design proved to be about half the cost of a bascule bridge. The Torrence Avenue Bridge boasts a 200-foot clear channel width and a 21-foot clearance over the entire channel, accommodating the heavy commercial traffic. In 1999, the bridge received a new dedication. It became the Henry Ford II Memorial Bridge. Most recently, the Torrence Avenue Bridge underwent a major rehabilitation from 2011 to 2012, ensuring its continued service for years to come.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to