Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Tacony–Palmyra Bridge is a combination steel arch, double-leaf bascule bridge
across the Delaware River
, connecting New Jersey Route 73 in Palmyra, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania Route 73
in the Tacony
section of Philadelphia. The bridge has a total length of 3,659 feet (1,115 m) and spans 2,324 feet (708 m). It was designed by Polish-born architect Ralph Modjeski
. After one and a half years of construction, it opened in 1929 to replace the local ferry
service. Though it opened as a four-lane bridge, the lanes were reduced in a 1996–97 1½-year bridge deck-replacement project to three wider lanes (two toll lanes northwestward into Philadelphia, and one free lane southeastward into New Jersey).
The bridge is owned and maintained by the Burlington County Bridge Commission
. The bridge has a $2 toll, which can be paid using E-ZPass
. Despite interruptions due to openings for passing shipping traffic (the Delaware River is navigable as far as Van Sciver Lake near Bristol, Pennsylvania
), it serves as a lower-cost alternative to the six-lane, high-span Betsy Ross Bridge
, which charges $5 for the westward crossing.
A walkway on the bridge is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
across the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, connecting New Jersey Route 73 in Palmyra, New Jersey
Palmyra, New Jersey
Palmyra is a Borough in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the borough population was 7,091.Palmyra was originally incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 19, 1894, from portions of Cinnaminson Township and Riverton...
and Pennsylvania Route 73
Pennsylvania Route 73
Pennsylvania Route 73 is a 62.51 miles long east–west state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. It runs from Pennsylvania Route 61 in Leesport to the New Jersey state line on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in Philadelphia, where it continues as New Jersey Route 73.Predating the Interstate...
in the Tacony
Tacony, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Tacony is a historic neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, about from downtown Philadelphia. It is the oldest continuously occupied neighborhood in Philadelphia. It is bounded by Frankford Avenue on the northwest, Cottman Avenue on the northeast, Levick Street on the southwest, and the...
section of Philadelphia. The bridge has a total length of 3,659 feet (1,115 m) and spans 2,324 feet (708 m). It was designed by Polish-born architect Ralph Modjeski
Ralph Modjeski
Ralph Modjeski was a Polish-born American civil engineer who achieved prominence as a pre-eminent bridge designer in the United States.-Life:...
. After one and a half years of construction, it opened in 1929 to replace the local ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service. Though it opened as a four-lane bridge, the lanes were reduced in a 1996–97 1½-year bridge deck-replacement project to three wider lanes (two toll lanes northwestward into Philadelphia, and one free lane southeastward into New Jersey).
The bridge is owned and maintained by the Burlington County Bridge Commission
Burlington County Bridge Commission
The Burlington County Bridge Commission is a public agency responsible for the operation and maintenance of several bridges in Burlington County, New Jersey across the Delaware River. It now manages eight bridges, including the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, and the...
. The bridge has a $2 toll, which can be paid using E-ZPass
E-ZPass
E-ZPass is an electronic toll-collection system used on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels in the northeastern US, south to Virginia and West Virginia, and west to Illinois. Currently, there are 25 agencies spread across 14 states that make up the . All member agencies use the same technology,...
. Despite interruptions due to openings for passing shipping traffic (the Delaware River is navigable as far as Van Sciver Lake near Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Philadelphia opposite Burlington, N.J. on the Delaware River. Bristol was first incorporated in 1720. Although its charter was revised in 1905, the original charter remains in effect, making Bristol one of the older boroughs in...
), it serves as a lower-cost alternative to the six-lane, high-span Betsy Ross Bridge
Betsy Ross Bridge
The Betsy Ross Bridge is a continuous truss bridge spanning the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Pennsauken, New Jersey. It was originally planned as the Delair Bridge, after a paralleling vertical lift bridge owned by Pennsylvania Railroad , but was instead named for Betsy Ross, reputed creator...
, which charges $5 for the westward crossing.
A walkway on the bridge is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
External links
- Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, Burlington County Bridge CommissionBurlington County Bridge CommissionThe Burlington County Bridge Commission is a public agency responsible for the operation and maintenance of several bridges in Burlington County, New Jersey across the Delaware River. It now manages eight bridges, including the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, and the...
- phillyroads.com Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
- Ehrhart, W.D., "Drawbridges on the Delaware", Virginia Quarterly Review, Autumn 2002.