Charles H. Purcell

Who was Charles H. Purcell?

Charles Henry Purcell was the chief engineer during the construction of the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, and one of the most distinguished civil engineers in the United States during the 20th century. The American Society of Civil Engineers selected the Bay Bridge as one of the seven modern civil engineering wonders of the United States in 1955. As California Director of Public Works, he oversaw construction of the first freeway in the American West. He also oversaw design of the first stack interchange in the world, the Four Level Interchange just north of downtown Los Angeles. He played an instrumental role on the National Interregional Highway Committee which persuaded Congress to authorize the Interstate Highway System. He worked primarily in the public sector on the United States west coast throughout his life.