Bridging Eras: The Story of the Calvert Street Bridge
The Calvert Street Bridge, now the Duke Ellington Bridge, spans Rock Creek in Washington, D.C., connecting the neighborhoods of Adams Morgan and Woodley Park. Originally constructed in 1891 by the Rock Creek Railway, the first bridge was a steel trestle designed primarily for streetcars. As the city grew, the need for a more substantial and aesthetically pleasing structure became clear.
Although plans for a replacement were approved in 1917, funding delays and design debates postponed construction for nearly two decades. In 1931, architect Paul Philippe Cret proposed a single-span steel bridge, but public controversy led Congress to require a restudy. Ultimately, a three-span masonry design was chosen, aligning with the Commission of Fine Arts’ vision for a structure that harmonized with the surrounding landscape and nearby Connecticut Avenue Bridge.
Design and Construction of the Bridge
Completed in 1935, the bridge is a masterpiece of neoclassical design and engineering. It stretches 751 feet in length and rises 125 feet above the Rock Creek valley. The structure features three graceful arches, each spanning 146 feet, and supports a 60-foot roadway flanked by 12-foot sidewalks. It was originally designed to accommodate streetcars, though service was discontinued before the bridge opened.
The arches are supported by four concrete ribs, each 6 feet wide, which in turn support steel columns and beams encased in concrete. The entire structure is faced with limestone, giving it the appearance of a solid masonry bridge. Precast concrete slabs and continuous horizontal joints enhance this illusion.
The bridge’s railings combine limestone and ornamental wrought iron, while granite curbs and an asphalt roadway complete the surface. Four sculptural reliefs by Leon Hermant, representing transportation by automobile, train, ship, and plane, adorn the bridge’s pedestals.
History of the Bridge
The bridge was constructed under the leadership of H. C. Whitehurst, Director of Highways, and C. R. Whyte, Engineer of Bridges. The engineering firm Modjeski, Masters & Case collaborated with architect Paul Cret to bring the vision to life.
In 1974, following the death of legendary jazz musician and Washington native Duke Ellington, the bridge was renamed in his honor. This renaming not only commemorated Ellington’s cultural legacy but also reinforced the bridge’s role as a symbol of the city’s evolving identity.
About the Bridgehead Reliefs
The Duke Ellington Bridge (formerly the Calvert Street Bridge) features four sculptural reliefs that represent different modes of transportation. The reliefs are mounted on the corner of the bridge. They were created in 1935 by sculptor Leon Hermant, a French-American artist.
Each relief symbolizes a different mode of transportation: Automobile, Train, Ship, and Airplane.
The reliefs are Neoclassical in style and each features a nude allegorical figure interacting with the respective vehicle. For example, the automobile relief includes a windblown female figure on wheels, blending classical form with modern technology Each relief measures approximately three feet high by four feet wide.
References
- https://historicsites.dcpreservation.org/items/show/175
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington_Bridge
- A Decade of Bridges: 1926-1936, by Wilbur J. Watson. J.H. Johnson, 1937