SNZP/Rock Creek Melan Bridge Rehabilitation & Repairs

This bridge located at the Harvard Street entrance to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington represents a distinct era in concrete engineering. The Old Harvard Street bridge, completed in 1901 at a cost of approximately $22,000, is a fine example of a Melan Patent Bridge -- a concrete barrel arch reinforced with iron lattice trusses. The span was designed by the Melan Construction Co. of New York and constructed by the Geise/Construction Co. of St Louis, MO. This span originally carried Old Quarry Road across Rock Creek to the zoo and is one of the first concrete-steel bridges built in the District.

The bridge required a detailed evaluation and extensive repairs to its concrete and embedded iron trusses. All work was performed in accordance with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation requirements.

BRIDGE PROJECTS