Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Benjamin Franklin Bridge. . The Commissioners of the Delaware River Port Authority dedicate this bridge to the memory of a great patriot scientist and statesman and in his honor we name it the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The Delaware River Bridge Joint Commission. Authorized by Act of the New Jersey legislature - April 8th 1919 and by Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature - July 9th 1919 to build this bridge over the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden, the cost of construction shared by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey and the City of Philadelphia. Organized December 12th 1919-Began Construction January 6th 1922 and opened the bridge with ceremonies July 1st 1926, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State of New Jersey City of Philadelphia jointly constructed this bridge 1919 - 1926 Total length of bridge 9,650 feet Length of main span 1,750 feet Width of bridge 128 feet Width of roadway 57 feet Height of towers 380 feet Clearance above mean high water 135 feet Diameter of cables 30 inches Number of wires in each cable 18,666 Ultimate strength of cables 125,000 tons Weight main span per linear foot 26,000 pounds Live load capacity per linear foot 12,000 pounds, Weight of steel Towers 10,000 tons Cables and suspenders 7,350 tons Suspended spans 18,500 tons Anchorages 6,000 tons Approaches 25,800 tons, Masonry Main piers 60,000 cubic yards Anchorages 216,000 cubic yards Approaches 42,000 cubic yards Total weight of bridge 720,000 tons Deepest foundation below mean high water 105 feet.