South Street Bridge

The South Street Bridge is a steel structure that crosses the Schuylkill River and connects downtown Philadelphia with the university area in West Philadelphia. It has seven spans and carries cars, pedestrians, and bicycles across the water.

The first bridge built in 1876 had structural issues that led to a replacement in 1880, followed by a major reconstruction in 1923. Significant upgrades were completed around 2010 to improve the structure.

The bridge serves as a meeting place for photographers and city watchers who use the four public gazebos to capture views of Philadelphia's skyline. These elevated platforms make it easy to see the downtown buildings and river.

Cross during daylight hours when you can see the river and surroundings clearly. Access is straightforward for walkers, cyclists, and drivers, and the spot is accessible to people with different mobility levels.

The bridge once featured metal mesh panels on its sides that displayed illuminated images for drivers on the Schuylkill Expressway until 2017. This creative art installation was a distinctive visual element of the drive across.

GPS coordinates: 39.94695,-75.18691

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:51