Gray's Ferry Bridge, River crossing in Philadelphia, United States
Gray's Ferry Bridge is a steel structure that spans the Schuylkill River between the Grays Ferry neighborhood and Southwest Philadelphia. The bridge carries four traffic lanes and connects two neighborhoods across its modern framework.
The first structure at this location was a temporary pontoon bridge built by British troops in 1777. The current bridge opened in 1976 and replaced several earlier versions that had marked this crossing over the centuries.
The name comes from a ferryman who once transported people across the river at this spot, reflecting its long history as a crossing point. Today this recalls the era when ferries were how locals and goods moved between neighborhoods.
The bridge is open to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists and offers a direct crossing between the two riverbanks. Access is free and the structure handles multiple forms of transportation with dedicated space for each.
The bridge was renovated and its structure reinforced, yet it maintains its role as a daily crossing for thousands of people. Few visitors realize this spot has been a connection point for over 200 years and has witnessed several chapters of American life.
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