For three whole years, the longest suspension bridge on the planet connected Camden to Philadelphia.
Its main span stretched 1,750 feet over the Delaware River, and nothing anywhere could beat it.
That record fell in 1929, but the bridge never stopped working. Today it carries cars, commuter trains, walkers, and bikes all at once.
Roughly 100,000 vehicles cross it every single day.
I like how a structure this old still feels so busy and useful. It just celebrated its 100th birthday, and New Jersey threw open the main lanes so people could stroll right down the middle.
I can’t imagine a better way to honor a century of hard work. So what makes this steel giant worth a closer look today?
It Grabbed A World Record The Day It Opened
Back in 1926, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was the biggest show in town. It officially opened on July 1, 1926, with a main span of 1,750 feet.
That number made it the longest suspension bridge in the world. No other bridge on Earth hung a longer stretch of roadway between two towers.
Records rarely last forever, though. In 1929, the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Canada took the crown.
Three years at the top still counts as a serious bragging right. Plenty of famous landmarks never hold a world title at all.
The bridge didn’t even start with its famous name. It opened as the Delaware River Bridge, a name that sounds more like a map label.
It was renamed for Benjamin Franklin in the mid-1950s. Fitting, since Franklin loved science, invention, and big ideas about connecting people.
Here’s a fun way to picture that span. 1,750 feet is longer than five football fields lined up end to end.
Now imagine engineers in the early 1920s planning all of that without modern computers. Their math held up for a full century, which is pretty impressive homework.
That early record is why the bridge still earns respect today. It proved New Jersey and Pennsylvania could build something the whole world noticed.
Meet The Brains Behind All That Steel
Great bridges need great teams, and this one had a famous crew. Chief engineer Ralph Modjeski led the project from the start.
Design engineer Leon Moisseiff worked on the structure too. He became one of the best-known suspension bridge experts of his time.
The architect in the group was Paul Philippe Cret. He served as supervising architect, helping shape how the bridge looked and felt.
Cret’s role matters more than you might expect. Engineers make a bridge stand up, but architects help make it worth staring at.
Construction kicked off on January 6, 1922. Workers spent about four and a half years building the crossing.
The total cost reached 37 million dollars back then. That was a giant sum in the 1920s, showing just how big a dream this was.
The work also came with real risk. Fifteen workers lost their lives during construction, a sobering reminder of the human effort behind it.
Next time you cross, it’s worth giving those builders a quiet thank-you. Their labor still carries thousands of people every day.
Looking up at the towers, you can appreciate how art and engineering met here. Strong and handsome is a tough combo to pull off.
Cars, Trains, And Walkers All Share The Ride
Most bridges pick one job. This one handles three at the same time without breaking a sweat.
Seven lanes carry Interstate 676 and U.S. Route 30 across the river.
About 100,000 vehicles make that trip every day.
Then there’s the train. Two tracks carry the PATCO Speedline, which links South Jersey with Philadelphia.
Around 20,000 PATCO riders cross daily. That’s a small city’s worth of commuters gliding over the Delaware each day.
Walkers and cyclists get their own path too. So the Benjamin Franklin Bridge works as a highway, a rail line, and a park trail rolled into one.
Pretty good multitasking for a structure built when Model T cars still ruled the road. It has adapted to a hundred years of changing travel.
The Delaware River Port Authority owns and operates the bridge. It keeps the whole system running for both states.
For New Jersey commuters, this crossing is a daily lifeline to jobs, games, and city fun. For Philly folks, it’s a fast route to the Jersey side.
Either way, few landmarks are this practical. You can admire it and use it in the same afternoon.
Lace Up Your Sneakers For The Walkway
Good news for anyone who likes a free workout with a view. The bridge has a walkway open to both pedestrians and cyclists.
On the Philadelphia side, you’ll find access at 5th and Race Street. On the Camden side, head to 4th and Pearl Street.
Hours shift with the seasons, so plan ahead. From October through April, the path typically runs from 6 AM to 8 PM.
The rest of the year, it usually stays open until 9 PM. That extra hour makes summer evening strolls much easier.
The path climbs as it heads toward the middle. Your legs will notice, so treat it like a gentle hill workout.
Summer days can get toasty up there too. Bring water, especially on hot afternoons, since you’re surrounded by steel and concrete.
A ramp now serves the New Jersey side. That makes rolling a bike up much simpler.
The big reward comes at the top. You get the Delaware River below and city skylines on both sides.
Not bad for a stroll that costs nothing. It might be the most scenic way to travel between two states on foot.
The Birthday Party Let Everyone Walk The Roadway
Turning 100 called for something special. In July 2026, the bridge celebrated its century with a rare treat for the public.
Pedestrians got to walk across the main vehicle lanes. Normally, those lanes belong to cars and trucks zooming between Camden and Philly.
Standing in the middle of a highway sounds strange. On a bridge this famous, it became a once-in-a-lifetime photo op.
The celebration landed during a busy summer in Philadelphia. The city was also marking America’s 250th anniversary, so the timing felt big.
Birthdays like this remind people how much a landmark means. Generations have crossed this span for work, school, games, and family visits.
Plenty of folks drive over it for decades without ever stopping. A celebration gives them a reason to slow down and actually look.
The anniversary also honored the original opening date. The bridge first welcomed traffic on July 1, 1926.
Not many working structures reach triple digits while staying this busy. It still carries traffic, trains, and walkers every single day.
If you missed the party, don’t worry. The regular walkway still lets you enjoy the view any open day of the year.
You Have Probably Seen It On Screen Already
Hollywood knows a good backdrop when it sees one. The bridge has shown up in several films and TV shows over the years.
One famous example is Rocky. The classic boxing movie made Philadelphia feel gritty, hopeful, and unforgettable.
It also appears in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. That comedy series leans hard into local scenery, and the bridge fits right in.
Why do filmmakers love it so much? A single shot instantly tells viewers they’re in the Philly area.
The blue steel, the tall towers, and the river make a strong frame. Few landmarks say this region so clearly.
For movie buffs, that adds a fun layer to any visit. You can stand near a spot you’ve seen on screen many times.
Bring a camera and play director for a minute. The waterfront parks on both sides give you room to set up great shots.
Fans of the New Jersey side can claim bragging rights too. The bridge belongs just as much to Camden as it does to Philadelphia.
Not every movie star works a day job hauling commuters. This one does both, and it never asks for a trailer.
Find Your Way To The Bridge Without Getting Lost
Getting there is half the adventure, so let’s make it easy. Google lists the bridge at 1 Benjamin Franklin Brg, Philadelphia, NJ 08102.
That address mixes Philadelphia and New Jersey, which sums up this bridge nicely. It belongs to both sides of the river.
For walkers coming from Philadelphia, start at 5th and Race Street. That entrance sits close to Old City and plenty of historic sights.
Coming from Camden? Use the entrance at 4th and Pearl Street in New Jersey.
Public transit helps a lot too. The PATCO Speedline already runs across the bridge, linking South Jersey towns with the city.
Drivers should know the bridge carries Interstate 676 and U.S. Route 30.
Expect regular highway traffic during busy commuting hours.
The walkway can feel tricky to find the first time. Look for signs near the bridge base and give yourself a few extra minutes.
Plan around the walkway hours as well. It generally closes at 8 PM in cooler months and 9 PM the rest of the year.
Once you find the path, the hard part is over. All that’s left is climbing, looking around, and enjoying the breeze.
Two Waterfronts Wait At Either End
One bridge, two cities, double the fun. Each end of the crossing drops you near a riverfront worth exploring.
On the Philadelphia side, the waterfront near Penn’s Landing offers wide views of the span. It’s a favorite area for snapping bridge photos.
Old City sits close by as well. That means historic Philadelphia neighborhoods are just a short walk from the walkway.
Cross over and you’ll reach the Camden waterfront in New Jersey. The views back toward the Philadelphia skyline are hard to beat.
That’s the beauty of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. It turns a simple walk into a two-state outing.
Families can make a whole day of it. Walk one way, explore the other side, then head back across.
Tired legs? PATCO can carry you back over the river without another climb.
Timing your walk around sunset adds a bonus. The sky colors over the water make the whole trip feel extra cinematic.
A hundred years in, the bridge still does what it was built to do. It brings people together, one crossing at a time, and that might be its best record yet.
