Background information
The Walt Whitman Bridge, formally known as the Delaware Memorial Bridge, is a suspension bridge spanning the Delaware River connecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Camden, New Jersey, east of Delaware City. It is one of the two Delaware River toll bridges operated by the Delaware River Port Authority. The current structure, inaugurated on May 16, 1957, is the second bridge of that name and was built to replace a ferry service. The bridge carries Interstate 76 in Pennsylvania and Delaware, with concurrencies with Interstate 495 and Interstate 295 on the New Jersey side.
The bridge is named after the famous poet Walt Whitman, an active abolitionist and nurse during the Civil War. Whitman spent most of his life in Camden and his remains are entombed there in Harleigh Cemetery. The bridge was featured in the original Guitar Hero and Gran Turismo video games and a three-screen installation inspired by the bridge was featured in the 2020 Whitney Biennial.
Length of the Bridge
The Walt Whitman Bridge is 11,981 feet long, as measured from end arch to end arch. This includes the distance between the two toll plazas of approximately 8,100 feet. The bridge is constructed from steel and concrete, and two large cabled-stayed bridges off the two main spans. The height of the towers is 365 feet. The average daily traffic of the bridge is estimated to be 66,000 vehicles.
History of the Bridge
The ferry service that the bridge was meant to replace was started in the 18th century and lasted until the bridge was built in 1957. The first bridge of that name, inaugurated in 1924, was replaced by the current bridge in 1957 due to increased traffic needs and effects of wear and tear. In 1964, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission assumed control of the bridge. In 1969, the commission merged with other transportation entities and was renamed the Delaware River Port Authority in 1976. The bridge alone remained under the control of the commission.
Environment
The Walt Whitman Bridge was built to help reduce traffic from the bridges crossing the Delaware River and make it easier to travel between the two states. As such, the bridge has the potential to reduce air pollution, since cars crossing the bridge now travel for shorter amounts of time, thereby reducing the amount of exhaust gases emitted by the vehicles. Construction of the bridge also had potential environmental consequences, such as water pollution from the use of concrete and steel in the bridge’s construction.
Maintenance and Preservation
The bridge’s maintenace is the responsibility of the Delaware River Port Authority. The Authority conducts regular inspections and maintenance on the bridge, with the intention of preserving it in good condition for years to come. Regular maintenance has included painting, replacement of cables, and repairs to the approach spans of the bridge. This has been done in an effort to keep up with the increasing demands of traffic, which have been estimated to reach 88,000 vehicles per day by 2040.
Safety Measures
Security measures at the bridge are taken very seriously and are constantly monitored. The bridge is equipped with CCTV cameras and is monitored both by bridge personnel and law enforcement personnel on the two sides of the bridge. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission also regularly performs fatigue testing on the cables of the bridge to ensure the bridge’s structural integrity. This fatigue testing is done every five years.
Toll Rates
The Walt Whitman Bridge, along with all of the other bridges operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, utilizes an E-ZPass system for all toll payments. Toll rates differ depending on the size of the vehicle, with a higher rate for larger vehicles. For cars, the toll rate is currently $5.00 at peak times, and $3.00 at non-peak times. There are discounts available for E-ZPass holders.
Economic Benefit and Social Impact
The Walt Whitman Bridge is an important economic asset for the Delaware River Port Authority, providing them with a steady stream of revenue. The bridge is also a social asset, as it facilitates transportation between the two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, potentially allowing people to more easily access jobs on the opposite side of the river. The bridge is an important part of the history of the Delaware River, and its role in reducing traffic and pollution should be noted.
Construction and Bridge Decks
The Walt Whitman Bridge was constructed from steel and concrete and took two years to build. The bridge has two decks, the upper deck carrying four lanes of traffic in each direction, and the lower deck carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction. The bridge also has two cabled-stay towers, with the cables hanging from the tops of the towers and extending to the end of the span. This added structural stability to the bridge, allowing it to cope with higher wind speeds.
The Future of the Bridge
The Walt Whitman Bridge is a crucial part of the transportation infrastructure in the Delaware River region and is an important bridge for regional and national travel. With the expected increase in traffic over the next few decades, the Delaware River Port Authority will continue to invest in the bridge to ensure it remains safe and reliable. The Authority is also looking at ways to reduce the impact of traffic on the bridge, such as carpooling and public transportation.
Conclusion
The Walt Whitman Bridge is an important part of the transportation infrastructure in the Delaware River region, providing a crucial connection between the two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The bridge is well maintained by the Delaware River Port Authority, and plans are in place to ensure that the bridge remains safe and reliable well into the future. The bridge also has an important economic and social impact, providing economic benefits to the region and making it easier for people to travel between the two states.
