Commodore Barry Bridge, Steel cantilever bridge in Chester, United States
The Commodore Barry Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge over the Delaware River in Chester with a total length of 4240 meters (13,910 feet) and a main span of 501 meters (1,644 feet). Its steel structure rests on tall piers that rise 60 meters (197 feet) above the water level and carry four traffic lanes between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The bridge opened on February 1, 1974, and replaced the Chester-Bridgeport Ferry, which had operated since 1930 as the only means of crossing the river. The new structure shortened travel time between the two shores and provided a weather-independent connection.
The name honors John Barry, the first senior officer of the American naval forces and an 18th-century Irish immigrant. Many commuters cross daily between the two states and rely on it as a key north-south route along the East Coast.
Vehicles entering Pennsylvania pay a toll of 6 dollars, while trucks and commercial vehicles are charged 9 dollars per axle at the payment stations. The structure remains open year-round and offers clear views of the river in good weather.
A fire at the Wade Dump recycling facility beneath the structure in 1978 forced its closure and affected 43 firefighters with long-term health issues. The fire burned for days and produced thick smoke clouds that spread over both riverbanks.
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