Ralph Modjeski may be the most illustrious Chicagoan most Chicagoans have never heard of.
A Polish immigrant, Modjeski built nearly 40 bridges in the U.S. and Canada. He was chief or consulting engineer on some of the continent’s most famous spans, including the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from Philadelphia to Camden, N.J., and Louisiana’s Huey P. Long Bridge.
Though Modjeski traveled the continent to work, Chicago was his home for many years — he opened his first office in the Loop’s Monadnock Building in 1893 and was a member of the nearby Union League Club, a prominent social club.
"Chicago was the beginning; it was where it all started for him," said Basia Myszynski, who with her husband, Leonard Myszynski, made a documentary about Modjeski called "Bridging Urban America." "I think he knew it was the hub of the transportation world. This is where it was going to all take place."
The Myszynskis, a California-based team who made an earlier film about Modjeski’s mother, actress Helena Modjeska, hope their new documentary will give Modjeski the prominence they think he deserves, up there with other great American innovators like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. It was recently screened at the Union League Club for a crowd of engineers and Polish-American cultural leaders. I moderated the panel discussion afterward.
Chicago bridges Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune Ralph Modjeski was influential in the building of the bascule bridges that cross the Chicago River. Ralph Modjeski was influential in the building of the bascule bridges that cross the Chicago River. (Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)
Besides private screenings, the film also has aired on several public television stations, and the Mysyzynskis are communicating with local stations for a possible showing in the Chicago area.
Ralph Modjeski (his name was simplified from Rudolf Modrzejewski), was a talented pianist who had initially considered a career in music. He decided instead to study engineering at l’Ecole des Ponts et Chaussees in Paris (School of Bridges and Roads), and graduated at the top of his class in 1885.
His first project as chief engineer was the Government Bridge in 1896 across the Mississippi River at Rock Island, Ill., used for freight and heavy military equipment. It was a tricky job because work had to get done before the ice melted and riverboats needed to pass through.
Modjeski warned the military that some work should be deferred until the following winter, but he was ignored. He was right — a February thaw broke the ice and destroyed part of the new bridge. Just in time for spring river traffic, Modjeski built a temporary lift bridge operated with wire rope to enable boats to go through and trains to run, while the rest of the work was completed.
"Being able to improvise and take things head-on — I believe that’s the brilliance of Ralph Modjeski," said Jeffrey Newman of the engineering firm Modjeski and Masters, who was quoted in the film. The firm founded by Modjeski is now based in Pennsylvania.
The bridge, still operational, uses a "swing span," which involves a piece of the bridge swinging out to allow boats to pass, and swinging back to allow freight and other traffic.
Lakefront Trail separation project moves one step forward Leonor Vivanco
Dividing the Lakefront Trail into separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians to help ease congestion and reduce collisions moved a step forward Wednesday when the Chicago Park District board approved a $1.7 million contract for engineering and design services.
The approval of the two-year, $1.7…
Dividing the Lakefront Trail into separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians to help ease congestion and reduce collisions moved a step forward Wednesday when the Chicago Park District board approved a $1.7 million contract for engineering and design services.
The approval of the two-year, $1.7…
(Leonor Vivanco)
Another notable Modjeski bridge is the massive Quebec Bridge across the St. Lawrence River — Modjeski’s team took over after a 1907 disaster killed 75 workers. The Modjeski team created the longest cantilever span in the world at 1,801 feet.
Although Modjeski did most of his work over wider bodies of water and was a pioneer in the creation of suspension bridges, he also was influential in the building of the elegant bascule bridges that cross the Chicago River, as part of a team that reviewed the original designs. Bascule bridges also are called drawbridges.
"He had a fairly strong influence, and as one of these key leaders in the engineering community in Chicago, he was relied upon to really vet that Chicago-type or Chicago-style bascule bridge," said Patrick McBriarty, author of the book "Chicago River Bridges," who is quoted in the film.
Modjeski played piano throughout his life — an associate remembered listening to him play for hours in the room above the firm’s offices — and the film ties Modjeski’s creative approach to bridge building to his skill as a musician.
"There is this humanistic aspect that is needed, not just engineering …" said Piotr Moncarz, chair of the U.S.-Polish Trade Council, said in the film. "When you add the artistic vision, when you add to it the other half of the brain, then you get bridges that are landmarks."
"It’s absolutely essential to allow the arts and sciences to meld," said Elaine Chew, a digital media professor at Queen Mary University of London, also interviewed in the film. "Music could be classified as a science. And maybe bridge engineering should be classified as an art …"
"I personally believe his mother taught Ralph the importance of ‘harmony,’ which was reflected in his bridge designs and structures, bridges beautifully melded into their natural and urban environments," Basia Myszynski said.
The film also highlights a time when infrastructure work was something that was not considered prosaic but awe-inspiring, with newsreels of ladies cutting ribbons and little girls in white carrying baskets of flowers across new spans. Modjeski was once so famous that his divorce was covered in the newspapers.
Modjeski’s last big project was the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, which opened in 1936. He died in 1940.
The film is available at www.bridginguamericafilm.com.
Metra’s courtesy poll
Rowdy groups and passengers who cough and sneeze without covering their mouths were at the top of a recent Metra poll for most annoying commuter behaviors.
Last summer, the commuter rail service started its first courtesy campaign, using cartoon posters that addressed impolite onboard behavior like hogging seats with bags, blocking aisles, personal grooming, putting feet on seats and having loud mobile phone conversations. Efforts to get people to behave themselves are attempted by transit agencies around the world — the CTA launched its latest good manners push in 2015.
Metra’s nice try also requires grit Editorial Board
Long-suffering Metra riders, your days of being forced to share the commute with boorish and oblivious fellow passengers are over! A new “Ride Nice” campaign started Monday. So, no more loud talking, aisle blocking, manspreading, etc., ever again. Enjoy the increased pleasantness.
Too sarcastic?
…
Long-suffering Metra riders, your days of being forced to share the commute with boorish and oblivious fellow passengers are over! A new “Ride Nice” campaign started Monday. So, no more loud talking, aisle blocking, manspreading, etc., ever again. Enjoy the increased pleasantness.
Too sarcastic?
… (Editorial Board)
In January, Metra asked passengers to vote on other forms of bad commuting manners for the next phase of the campaign. "Taking over the train with a rowdy group" was the behavior that most aggravated respondents, followed by "hands-free sneezing and coughing," "saving a seat for a sometimes imaginary sometimes not friend" and "eating something stinky."
Metra customers also don’t like customers who prematurely clog aisles before the train comes into the station.
"Our campaign will continue to gently remind riders to behave courteously toward one another, and we hope our customers will enjoy the new posters as much of the previous ones," Metra CEO Don Orseno, said in a statement.
Lyft signs HQ lease
Lyft, the ride-sharing company that is trying to grow its market share in the Chicago area, said it has signed a five-year lease on an approximately 5,500-square foot space in the Old Irving Park neighborhood.
The space at 3976 N. Avondale Ave. will serve as Lyft’s new Chicago headquarters and will offer driver training and support, the San Francisco-based company said. Uber, the leader in the ride-sharing business, has three driver hubs in the city.
mwisniewski@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @marywizchicago
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