The Ben Franklin Bridge Is Shutting Down To Celebrate Turning 100 — And You’re Invited to Walk Across It
The Delaware River Port Authority is throwing a daylong public event on Saturday, July 11, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Ben Franklin Bridge — and for a few hours, the bridge will be yours to walk across.
When the bridge opened in 1926 as the Delaware River Bridge, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Construction began in 1922 and took four and a half years to complete. Drivers crossed for an 18-cent toll on opening day — a far cry from today’s $6 fare — and what began as an engineering marvel quickly became one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Philadelphia region, appearing in films like Rocky and National Treasure.
The centennial celebration runs from 10 AM to 2:30 PM on the Camden, New Jersey side of the bridge near the toll plaza, and the highlight is exactly what you’d hope for: the bridge roadway will be closed to vehicle traffic, giving attendees the rare opportunity to walk across one of America’s most storied suspension bridges on foot.
Beyond the walk, the event features live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, and historical exhibits that bring the bridge’s remarkable 100-year story to life.
Leave the car at home for this one. PATCO will run enhanced service with trains every 15 minutes throughout the event, and a shuttle service will connect PATCO’s City Hall Station directly to the event entrance, making it one of the easiest trips across the river you’ll ever make.
A century of history, a once-in-a-lifetime walk across an iconic bridge, and a free community celebration — July 11 is a date worth circling.
