Tacony–Palmyra Bridge

The Tacony–Palmyra Bridge is a combination steel tied-arch and double-leaf bascule bridge across the Delaware River that connects New Jersey Route 73 in Palmyra, New Jersey with Pennsylvania Route 73 in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. The bridge, designed by Polish-born architect Ralph Modjeski, has a total length of 3,659 feet (1,115 m) and spans 2,324 feet (708 m). After one and a half years of construction, it opened on August 14, 1929, replacing ferry service that had operated between Tacony and Palmyra since May 6, 1922.[1][3]

The Tacony–Palmyra Bridge from New Jersey
Tacony–Palmyra Bridge
Bridge as seen from the New Jersey shoreline
Coordinates40.01199°N 75.04298°W / 40.01199; -75.04298
Carries3 lanes of PA 73 and Route 73, pedestrians and bicycles
CrossesDelaware River
LocalePhiladelphia (Tacony), Pennsylvania and Palmyra, New Jersey
Official nameTacony–Palmyra Bridge
Maintained byBurlington County Bridge Commission
ID number3000001 (NJ), 677301999100150 (PA)
Characteristics
DesignSteel tied arch bridge with bascule opening
Total length3,659 ft (1,115 m)
Width38 ft (12 m)
Longest span558 ft (170 m)
Clearance above14.5 ft (4.4 m)
Clearance below61 ft (19 m) (arch), 54 ft (16 m) (bascule)
History
OpenedAugust 14, 1929 (August 14, 1929)[1]
Statistics
Daily traffic50,000 (1999)
Toll$4.00 (northbound, cash), $3.00 (E-ZPass)[2]
Location
View from the roadway of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, across the upper Delaware River from Palmyra, New Jersey to Tacony section of Philadelphia with drawbridge signs

Owned and maintained by the Burlington County Bridge Commission of New Jersey, the bridge has a $4 cash toll and $3 E-ZPass toll for northbound (Pennsylvania-bound) traffic.[2] Despite interruptions due to occasional openings for passing shipping traffic (the upper Delaware River is navigable as far north as Van Sciver Lake near Bristol, Pennsylvania), it serves as a lower-cost alternative to the more southerly, six-lane, high-span Betsy Ross Bridge, which charges $5 for the westbound crossing.

Built with four lanes, the bridge was modified in 1997 to have three wider lanes – two northbound towards Philadelphia and one southbound towards New Jersey.[4] A walkway provides access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

The bascule draw span is located immediately east of the main, arched span. On October 10, 2013, the bascule span jammed and became stuck in the open position when a roller under the maintenance walkway seized, closing the bridge for approximately eleven hours.[5]

In 2016, work began on rehabilitation and improved traffic controls systems, including barriers and traffic lights.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Ceaseless Traffic Passes Over Palmyra-Tacony Bridge Opened Yesterday by Two States". The Evening Courier. Camden, New Jersey. August 15, 1949. p. 3. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Toll Rates". Burlington Country Bridge Commission. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  3. "Tacony and Palmyra Ferry Line Opened". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 7, 1922. p. 2. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Tacony-Palmyra Bridge". Burlington County Bridge Commission. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  5. Stamm, Dan (October 10, 2013). "Busy Bridge Gets Stuck Open for Hours". WCAU. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  6. "FY2016‐2025 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program" (PDF). State of New Jersey. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
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