The United States Naval Academy Bridge

The United States Naval Academy Bridge. . A bridge has served this area since 1836 when a timber trestle bridge with a swing span was built across the Severn River. It was replaced with a concrete and steel low-level drawbridge in 1924. After more than 70 years it became necessary to replace the drawbridge. In recognition of this unique location in the State Capital, near the home of the United States Naval Academy and overlooking one of the most scenic rivers in the country, Governor William Donald Schaefer's Office of Art and Culture and the State Highway Administration held a special competition in 1989 to design a new bridge. This was the first major bridge competition successfully concluded in the United States in 100 years. The winning concept, which combined engineering excellence with aesthetics, produced the current, high-level, fixed-span bridge completed in 1995. The bridge was named the United States Naval Academy Bridge to honor the school's 150-year anniversary., [right marker] The United States Naval Academy Bridge , Commemorating 150 Years of Service to Our Country , Severn River, Annapolis, State of Maryland , 1995, William Donald Schaefer, Governor , Louis L. Goldstein, Comptroller , Lucille Maurer, Treasurer, Maryland Department of Transportation , O. James Lighthizer, Secretary , Hal Kassoff, State Highway Administrator , Earle S. Freedman, Chief Bridge Engineer , Paul E. Matys, SHA Project Engineer-Design , Edward H. Meehan, District Engineer , Daniel C. Witt, SHA Project Engineer-Construction , Douglas N. Silber, Legal Counsel , GREINER, INCORPORATED, DESIGNER , CIANBRO CORPORATION, CONTRACTOR, [left marker] Severn River Bridge, Built 1922-24, Albert C. Ritchie - Governor, State Roads Commission, John N. Mackall - Chairman and Chief Engr., Omar D. Crothers, D.C. Winebrenner, L.H. Steuart - Secretary