[8] The chief engineer was George S. Webster, assisted by Henry Quimby, both of the Philadelphia Department of Public Works.

The Philadelphia community members rallied around the construction of the bridge and the opening was highly anticipated by all ages alike.

Students from nearby schools participated in the dedication ceremony by marching toward the middle of the bridge and singing "Hail Philadelphia.

In December 1907, the falsework (used to support the forms for pouring concrete) collapsed and sent about 20 workers plunging 150 feet (46 m) into the Wissahickon Creek.

Martin Simpson was listed as the only worker to die during the tragedy while Bernard Mers lost an arm and James Lawson had both of his hands crushed.

It was a common occurrence to see pictures of the bridge in the newspapers with a dotted line showing the path of a person's fall.