The present partners carry on the traditions of innovation and integrity that have marked the firm's progress since it was founded in 1887 by Dr. John Alexander Low Waddell, one of the nation's pioneer bridge engineers. Fourteen of its bridges have won awards in the AISC Prize Bridge Competitions.
Movable bridges are one of the firm's specialties.
In 1894, Dr. Waddell developed the prototype of the modern vertical lift bridge. In addition to bridge and highway work, the firm's roster of projects includes toll facilities, railroad facility design, transit systems, sewers, utilities, and a wide variety of movable and fixed st ructures presenting special engineering problems. To achieve that goal, the firm maintains in-house expertise in geotechnical, mechanical and electrical engineering to complement its bridge, railroad and highway engineering capability.