The Benjamin Franklin Bridge will be closed to car traffic in July as it commemorates its 100th birthday, a week after the United States celebrates its 250th, writes Tom Ignudo for CBS News Philadelphia.
The Delaware River Port Authority is planning to host a celebration on July 11, 2026 for the Ben Franklin Bridge.
“For a century, the Ben Franklin Bridge has connected Philadelphia and Camden, linking communities, supporting commerce, and moving millions of people across the Delaware River,” The DRPA wrote about the celebration on its website. “Join us as we celebrate this historic milestone and look ahead to the next 100 years.”
The family-friendly event will include live music, various performances, carnival rides, food trucks, and more.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn historical content about the Ben Franklin Bridge, including a pop-up museum that highlights the bridge’s legacy.
The Ben Franklin Bridge opened in 1926 after a four-and-a-half year construction period as the longest suspension bridge in the world.
With the Ben Franklin Bridge being closed to all traffic during the July 11 event, drivers are being encouraged to use the Walt Whitman Bridge as an alternative.
Read more about why the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed in July at CBS News Philadelphia.
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