Walt Whitman Bridge is a single-level suspension bridge that spans the Delaware River from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania to Gloucester City in New Jersey.
It is named after the American poet and essayist Walt Whitman, who lived in nearby Camden for the last two decades of his life.
The bridge was opened in 1957 and is one of the largest bridges in the world, with a main span of 2,000 feet and a total length of 11,981 feet.
The bridge carries seven lanes of traffic and is part of Interstate 76.
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Walt Whitman Bridge History
The idea of building a bridge across the Delaware River was first proposed in the 1920s, but it was delayed by the Great Depression and World War II.
In 1947, the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) was created to oversee the construction and operation of the bridge.
The DRPA hired engineer Othmar Ammann, who had designed the George Washington Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, to design the Walt Whitman Bridge.
The construction began in 1953 and cost $52 million.
Walt Whitman Bridge was dedicated on May 16, 1957, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who praised Whitman as “one of America’s great poets” and “a friend of freedom everywhere”.
Walt Whitman Bridge Tolls
The Walt Whitman Bridge is a toll bridge, which means that drivers have to pay a fee to cross it.
The tolls are collected only in the westbound direction, from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.
Toll rates vary depending on the type of vehicle and the payment method.
In 2021, the toll rates were as follows:
- Passenger vehicles: $5 with cash or E-ZPass
- Motorcycles: $5 with cash or E-ZPass
- Trucks and buses: $7.50 per axle with cash or E-ZPass
- Senior citizens: $2.50 with E-ZPass (only available during off-peak hours)
The tolls are used to fund the maintenance and improvement of the bridge and other DRPA facilities.
Walt Whitman Bridge Traffic
The Walt Whitman Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the region, carrying an average of 120,000 vehicles per day.
The bridge connects two major metropolitan areas, Philadelphia and Camden, and serves as a gateway to other destinations such as Atlantic City, New York City, and Washington D.C.
It also connects several major highways, such as I-76, I-95, I-295, and Route 42.
The traffic on the bridge can be heavy during peak hours, especially on weekdays and holidays.
Walt Whitman bridge has seven lanes of traffic, four westbound and three eastbound.
The lanes can be adjusted according to the traffic demand by using movable barriers.
The bridge also has electronic signs that display real-time traffic information and alerts.
To avoid congestion and delays on the bridge, drivers can use alternative routes such as the Betsy Ross Bridge or the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Drivers can also check the traffic conditions on the bridge before traveling by using online tools like Google Maps.
Walt Whitman Bridge Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the Walt Whitman Bridge:
- The bridge is painted light blue to blend with the sky and water.
- The bridge has 42 cables that support the main span, each weighing about 400 tons.
- The bridge has four towers that rise 378 feet above the water level.
- The bridge has a clearance of 153 feet above the river at mean high water.
- The bridge has a pedestrian walkway that is open from April to October.
- The bridge has a plaque that features a quote from Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself”: “I CELEBRATE myself, / And what I assume you shall assume / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
Walt Whitman Bridge Construction
The construction of the Walt Whitman Bridge was a remarkable engineering feat that involved many challenges and innovations.
Some of the highlights of the construction process are:
- The foundation of the bridge required digging 110 feet below the riverbed to reach solid rock.
- The steel for the bridge was fabricated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and transported by rail and barge to the site.
- The cables for the bridge were spun on-site by using a spinning wheel that traveled back and forth between the towers.
- The deck of the bridge was built in sections on barges and lifted into place by cranes.
- The lighting system of the bridge was designed by lighting expert Richard Kelly, who also worked on the Lincoln Center and the Seagram Building.
Conclusion
The Walt Whitman Bridge is more than just a structure that connects two states.
It is also a tribute to one of America’s most influential poets, a marvel of engineering, and a vital link for commerce and tourism.
The bridge has been serving millions of travelers for over six decades and will continue to do so for many years to come.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article about the Walt Whitman Bridge.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.
