City Avenue Bridges

City Avenue Bridges are two parallel steel-plate girder structures that cross the Schuylkill River, each spanning approximately 1,900 feet. The bridges carry traffic in both directions through separate roadways connected to surrounding streets via an interchange system.

These bridges opened in 1955 under the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, creating a vital link between the Schuylkill Expressway and surrounding urban routes. They were built to handle the growing traffic demands of the expanding city.

The American Institute of Steel Construction granted these bridges a Certificate of Award Class II for their structural design and engineering execution.

These bridges carry roughly 109,000 vehicles daily and are primarily useful for drivers commuting between different parts of the city. Expect heavier traffic during rush hours if you want a smoother crossing.

The northbound bridge features 11 spans while the southbound bridge has 12 spans, resulting in slightly different structural designs. This asymmetrical arrangement was a practical solution for the traffic needs of that era.

Location: Philadelphia

GPS coordinates: 40.01150,-75.20607

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:48