Overview of the Collection
Historical NoteThe Engineering Department (SED) maintained the City's streets and bridges, designed and oversaw construction of public works projects, provided traffic and transportation planning, and operated the sewer and solid waste utility. The position of City Surveyor was created in 1873 to survey the City, establish boundaries and street grades, and administer condemnation processes. This position was renamed City Engineer in 1890. In 1931 the Engineering Department absorbed part of the Department of Public Utilities and in 1936 it assumed the responsibilities of the Department of Streets and Sewers and the Traffic Department. In 1997, the water, solid waste, drainage, and wastewater utilities from the Engineering and Water departments were merged with the Engineering Services Division of SED and the Customer Service Call Center and Construction Engineering Sections of City Light to form Seattle Public Utilities. The traffic and transportation functions of the Engineering Department were consolidated in the Seattle Transportation Department. Content Description114 prints showing the progression of construction at the west end of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge, from March 1939 (pre-construction) to December 1940 (completion). Most of the photographs consist of surface construction of Highway 10 in the area from 22nd Ave So. to the Lake, including construction of various overpasses. There are many photographs of the creation of the west and east tunnel entrances (portals) and a number of photographs inside the tunnel. A small number of photographs show the west approach of the bridge and transition span. Workers, construction equipment, and neighboring houses can be seen in many photographs. There are four group portraits of the Engineering Force, the Washington State Toll Bridge Authority and the "Shovel Crew." All of the photographs were taken by A.G. Simmer and are numbered 1 - 999, not-inclusive. 92 of the photographs have been scanned and are available online. Search "2613-11" in the Photograph Index. Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
Records are open to the public. Preferred Citation :Lake Washington Floating Bridge Construction Album, Record Series 2613-11. Seattle Municipal Archives. Administrative InformationSubjectsThis collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Finding aid prepared by Julie B.
Viggiano
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