South Street Bridge
South Street Bridge is a bridge spanning the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, connecting Center City to University City. The current bridge, opened in 2010, replaced a historic 1923 structure that had become structurally deficient.
History
[edit | edit source]Original Bridge
[edit | edit source]The first South Street Bridge opened in 1875. It was replaced in 1923 by a larger concrete arch bridge designed by the Philadelphia Department of Public Works.
Current Bridge
[edit | edit source]The 1923 bridge was demolished in 2009 due to structural concerns, and a new bridge opened in 2010. The replacement project cost approximately $90 million and was designed by the firm of Rosales + Partners.[1]
Design
[edit | edit source]The current bridge features:
- Two steel arches supporting the roadway
- Four lanes of vehicle traffic
- Dedicated bicycle lanes
- Wide pedestrian sidewalks
- Modern lighting design
- Connection to Schuylkill River Trail
The design received awards for its aesthetic integration with the urban environment.
Location
[edit | edit source]The bridge connects:
- South Street in Center City (east)
- 34th Street in University City (west)
- Provides direct access to Penn and Drexel campuses
- Links to Schuylkill Banks trail system
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "South Street Bridge". Philadelphia Streets Department. Retrieved December 2025