How much did Benjamin Franklin Bridge cost?
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, first called the Delaware River Bridge, connects Philadelphia and Camden across the Delaware River. Construction began on 6 January 1922 and the crossing opened to traffic on 1 July 1926. Its 1,750-foot centre span was then the longest suspension span in the world. A bridge-authority historical account gives a 1926 construction cost of $37,103,765.42, excluding subsequent improvements. The present operator separately lists $45.2 million as its initial investment; that broader label is not explained as the same construction-only accounting basis. The bridge spans 7,456 feet between abutments, and its towers rise about 382 feet. Today it carries road traffic, PATCO trains and pedestrians.
Reported project cost
$37.1038 million
Cost basis: 1926
Cost evidence
Basis of the published figure
Project metrics
Key dimensions
- Total lengthDelaware River Port Authority
- 2,272.5888 m
- Main spanDelaware River Port Authority
- 533.4 m
- HeightDelaware River Port Authority
- 116.4336 m
Project record