Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-09-13
Crossing the
Delaware Now
nv .rroderio J. JInskin

Fly Frederic J. lfsskin
Philadelphia, sept. According q
statements issued by civic authorities
of the Quaker city. work has been be-
gun on the longest suspension bridge
In the world.
This is the new bridge planned ~
span the Delaware River from Philn-
delphia 10 Camden. The plans show
tho span length near the Philadelphia
terminus 10 be a distance ~. 1,750 feet
between towers. The main span of ths
Brooklyn Bridge II only 1896 feet
and that of the Williamsburg Bridge
1000 feet in length. The height pro.
posed for the east main river tower
Is $50 feet above the river. The bridge
In rs entirety viii exceed any other
suspension bridge IN the world for
length By $50 feet. II the present
plans are adhered 70.
This bridge. the cost of which has
been estimated az nearly gze,000.00 is
both a relief and the fuiGliment n .
long cherished desire 10 business MEN
OF the city. It is. according 70 au-
thorities at the city Hall, one d
those things the necessity and prac-
ticability of which has long been ac-
knowledged BY citizens on both sides
0f the Delaware River, but which has
been delayed BY circumstances.
Now that the definite action has
been taken and arrangements for the
progress of the work made. Camden
ties and Phiiadelphians are sIghing
with relief and asking each other,
why didn't we do il long agog"
The state Of Pennsylvania and the
city Of Philadelphia will each pay
sg,273. 500 toward the expenses ~
building the bridge and the state Of
New Jersey has appropriated sfz ,224.-
600
There was much discussion over the
location Of the Philadelphia terminus
Of the bridge. Finally, after an unus-
ually hectic meeting Of the Pennsyl-
vania Commissioners on July 10th, a
vote Was taken resulting ia the Sc
lection of the Franklin sqnare-Pearl
street site. The New Jersey Commits.
sioners voted soiidly in favor Of the
site which was at length selected.
Saved the Church.
The Franklin Square Plaza is ideally
situated in the center Of the arteries
u 4 HttaA1EtA AfAtAH tAatAtLr ~ AilaL NtftttN
routes from that end of the bridge
viii lead into all PARTS Of the city.
Tho fate Of one structure with a
known historical or sentimental value
was involved in the original plans
This was ST. Georges Methodist Epis-
copai Church. The venerable edifce
called by many the Shrine OF Metho-
disrn. is located on the site Of one ~
the roadways planned TO be cut par
alie1 TO the new bridge. The early sug-
gesti0ns were III favor ~ moving the
church to a location more artistically
fitted to display It's QUAINT charm
Later, however, other plans were
drawn up changing the approach %
the bridge and thus eliminating tho
necessity for removing the old church
In Camden. fortunately, there was no
property in the path Of the proposed
bridge. and its auxiliary roadways
which was of historical value and in
terest. The site chosen for the Cam
den terminus 81 the bridge seems %
have proved an unusually happy
choice. The renovations necessary 20
direct the great tide Of human beings
and vehicles which viii cross the new
bridge into the city OF Camden win
involve neither the forcing of traffic
through the city's busiest streets nor
long. awkward detours.
The deep enthusiasm which the state
Of New Jersey feels toward this pro-
iect is expressed in q most practical
manner by the fact that the 5000 900
bond issue was heavily over-subscrib-
a f4 f.fHcg
first opened there on June 28th by the
New Jersey State House Commission.
Ralph Modjeska, internationally
known for his great list Of successes
in civil engineering, was unanimously
appointed 70 position Of chief bridge
engineer. George $. Webster and
Lawrence A. Ball are other members
appointed to the Board Of Engineers
for the construction Of the Delaware
Bridge.
Mr.. Mod1eska Is a rather unusual
person. Born at Carcow, Poland. in
1861, with the original terrible SUR
name Of Modrejewski, he came to the
United States with his mother. Helene
Modjeslxa. later celebrated as ira
gedienne. in 1876. The modification
in the sIodjeska surname was mad'
at the time American naturalization
papers were applied for. Mr.. Mod
ieska was graduated from the College
des Points ct Chaussees Of Paris al
the head Of his class and with special
honors. He received the Doctor Of En-
gineering degree from the Uniyersit.
Of Illinois in 1911. He has engaged IN
many important undertakings while
pursuing his chosen profession and i
now head Of his own firm in Chicago
as well as prominent in many organ