Modjeski and Masters

Modjeski and Masters. It is a preeminent American engineering firm specializing in the design, inspection, and rehabilitation of bridges and other transportation structures. Founded in the late 19th century by a pioneering engineer, the firm has been instrumental in shaping the infrastructure of the United States and has worked on iconic projects worldwide. With a reputation for technical excellence and innovation, it remains a leader in the field of structural engineering.

History

The firm traces its origins to 1893 when renowned bridge engineer Ralph Modjeski established his own practice in Chicago. Modjeski, the son of Polish actress Helena Modjeska, had trained under the legendary Gustave Eiffel in Paris and contributed to major projects like the Quebec Bridge. In 1924, he formed a partnership with Frank M. Masters, who had worked on the Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans. This partnership solidified the firm's focus on complex, long-span bridges. Following Modjeski's death in 1940, Masters led the firm through significant mid-century projects, including work for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The firm incorporated in 1964 and later moved its headquarters to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, continuing its legacy under subsequent generations of leadership.

Notable projects

The firm's portfolio includes many of North America's most significant bridges. Early landmark designs by Ralph Modjeski include the McKinley Bridge over the Mississippi River and the monumental Benjamin Franklin Bridge connecting Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey. The firm provided design and consultation for the iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida. It has been deeply involved with major New York City crossings, performing in-depth inspections and studies for the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge. Other major works include the Commodore Barry Bridge on the Delaware River, the Huey P. Long Bridge widening in New Orleans, and the design of the new Port Mann Bridge in British Columbia.

Engineering specialties

The firm is recognized for its expertise in long-span cable-stayed bridge and suspension bridge design, analysis, and rehabilitation. It maintains a leading practice in the complex load rating and fracture-critical inspection of major bridges, often working for state departments of transportation like the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the New York State Department of Transportation. Additional specialties include seismic retrofit design, as applied to structures in California and Puerto Rico, and the design of movable bridges, including bascule bridge and vertical-lift bridge. The firm also provides construction engineering services, overseeing the erection of complex structures to ensure design intent is met.

Leadership and key personnel

Following the era of its founders, leadership transitioned to engineers who had risen within the firm. John M. Kulicki served as President and CEO for many years, contributing to advancements in load and resistance factor design (LRFD) and serving on committees for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Subsequent CEOs have included Thomas G. Leech and the current CEO, Michael J. Britt. The firm's technical leadership has included notable figures like John F. Unsworth, an expert in cable-supported bridges. The board of directors has included senior principals with decades of experience on projects for agencies such as the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Awards and recognition

The firm's projects have received numerous awards from engineering societies. Its work on the Huey P. Long Bridge widening earned the Grand Conceptor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies. The new Port Mann Bridge design received the George S. Richardson Medal from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering. Other honored projects include the Patriots Memorial Bridge in Massachusetts, which won a prize from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. The firm itself has been consistently ranked among the top design firms by publications like Engineering News-Record.

Category:Engineering companies of the United States Category:Bridge engineering firms Category:Companies based in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Category:1893 establishments in Illinois