Before us is the broad and beautiful river, separating two of the original thirteen States, which a late President, a man of determined purpose and inflexible will, but patriotic heart, desired to span with arches of ever-enduring granite, symbolical of the firmly established union of the North and the South. That President was General Jackson.
ARLINGTON MEMORIAL BRIDGE, ARCHITECTS’ DESIGN
The need of a bridge direct to Arlington National Cemetery was most urgently felt on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, when the remains of the Unknown Soldier were entombed. Led by President Harding and officials of this Government and of many foreign countries, thousands of people who made the trip to Arlington did so under most difficult circumstances, because of the crowded traffic conditions. The Commission of Fine Arts was in session at the time, and at once recommended to Congress the preparation of plans for an Arlington Memorial Bridge, with an initial appropriation of $25,000. Congress responded quickly and made the appropriation available for expenditure by the Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission, by act approved June 12, 1922. On April 22, 1924, the commission submitted to Congress a comprehensive report on the subject and a set of approved plans that contemplated an expenditure of $14,750,000 for the project. Congress adopted the report and plans and has made the necessary funds available for the construction work as fast as the project developed. The architects of the bridge are McKim, Mead & White, of New York City, who are noted for the many great and beautiful classical structures they have built throughout the United States, as the Boston Public Library, the library at Columbia University, the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in New York City, and the McKinley Memorial at Niles, Ohio. This firm also had charge of the building of additions to the White House during the administration of President Roosevelt.
EAGLE SURMOUNTING PYLONS
BISON HEAD
The bridge extends from the Lincoln Memorial to Columbia Island, has a length of 2,138 feet, and is 90 feet wide, the width of Fifth Avenue in New York City. The bridge has been built as low as possible, consistent with good proportions, in order not to interfere with the view of the Lincoln Memorial from Columbia Island. There are 6 lanes on the bridge, each 10 feet wide, and 2 sidewalks, each 15 feet wide. The balustrade is 4 feet high. Suitable lighting is also provided.
