paul cret designed the tidal basin bridge in washington dc.
paul cret designed the tidal basin bridge in washington dc.
who designed the tidal basin bridge in washington dc?
paul cret
the northern lobe of the basin is crossed by the kutz memorial bridge, named in honor of brigadier general charles w. kutz the commissioner of engineering for the district of columbia during the first half of the 20th century, carrying eastbound independence avenue traffic in three lanes. the bridge was designed by paul cret, begun in 1941, completed 1943 and altered with dedication in 1954. it is of concrete and steel on pilings, all granite faced.
tidal basin
one of wyeth's most prominent early commission was the tidal basin inlet bridge connecting east potomac park and west potomac park. both parks were formerly part of the waters of the potomac river. beginning in 1881, material dredged from the river was placed in the tidal flats west and south of the city, creating the western half of the national mall, the washington channel, and the tidal basin. the tidal basin was designed so that fresh water would flow in via its southern strait, and then flush outward into the washington channel. in 1907, the united states army corps of engineers decided that gates were needed at the southern inlet to prevent the basin's water from backflowing into the potomac (thus ensuring a flush into the channel). the corps decided that a bridge should be built along with the gates, so that the roadway around the tidal basin would make a complete circuit. wyeth was the only architect considered for the bridge job. his employment was approved in early february 1908, and by early april he'd completed the bridge plans. although his design for a two-tier bridge was only partially implemented (the top tier was removed for budget reasons), work on the bridge was largely complete by june 1909.
nathan c. wyeth