Benjamin Franklin Bridge

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a truss-supported suspension bridge over the Delaware River between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. The bridge is one of two main traffic arteries between Philadelphia and Camden, the other being the Walt Whitman Bridge downstream. Additionally, the bridge is the central of the three crossings of the Delaware River in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge design is unusual. Truss-supported suspension bridges are most commonly found when there is a double-deck. However, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge has deep trusses next to the roadway lanes that give the impression from a side view that the roadway is on the lower level. However, in actuality, there is no lower level and the deep trusses exist to support an elevated sidewalk above the roadway. This is a feature that is also observable in New York's Mid-Hudson Bridge.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1926. It's hard to believe today that the main span of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is only 1,750 feet and the main span of the Akashi Suspension Bridge in Japan is over 1 mile.

Like almost all of the major Delaware River crossings, the bridge is tolled westbound only entering Pennsylvania. Cars must pay a toll of $5.00 - EZ-PASS and other legal equivalents are accepted.