Knowledge (XXG)

Gray's Ferry Bridge

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670: 355: 31: 477: 533: 363: 438:, saying, "In the course of the war it has been found useful to lay a bridge across the Schuylkill at this city. Another bridge over that river was erected by General Washington at Providence in this county. And a third built by the enemy remains entire. It is worthy of consideration how these truly convenient structures may be rendered lastingly useful. The terms on which they may be passed ought to be settled." Later that year, the deal was set: the U.S. government would pay 800 pounds annually for the maintenance of the bridge. 712:
at Gray's Ferry road." The west end was far higher than the old Newkirk Viaduct, for it crossed over the 14-track PW&B railyard. River traffic was accommodated by a 223-foot, 6-inch swing span that allowed 75 feet of open water to each side of its central pier. The span could open in just one minute, thanks to electric motors powered by cables under the river (a backup system required 12 men to crank for 10 minutes against "a moderate wind"), although its 22-foot clearance allowed police and fireboats to pass without opening.
620: 855: 813: 446:"Although this bridge floated when not charged, or charged but lightly, the weight of our waggon depressed it several inches below the surface, the horses splashing through the water so that a foot passenger passing at the same time would have been exposed to serious inconvenience." The bridge had a draw that could be lifted with ropes to allow boats to pass by. The whole span could be unmoored and allowed to float downstream in times of ice or heavy weather, then restored to service. 612: 572:... swept away one of the piers and two of its sections. The floating bridge at Gray's Ferry was also carried away by the violence of the same flood. We are happy to learn that all the damages occurring from that rapid rise of the Schuylkill are in rapid progress of repair and that both the bridges are now passable." (It is not clear when the floating bridge finally ceased to exist.) The damage was repaired within weeks for less than $ 15,000. 737: 843:
rehabilitation work began on the bridge, including "repairing the structure and substructure of the bridge, replacing expansion joints, resurfacing the bridge deck, and milling and paving the approaches on Grays Ferry Avenue from 48th Street to 35th Street." A 10-foot, barrier‐separated lane for cyclists and pedestrians is being created on the eastbound side of the bridge.
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the cars were pulled by horses over the river and northward along three miles of track to the terminus of the PW&B. That was the Southern and Western Railroad Station, a grand six-track station and PW&B office building erected in 1840 at Broad Street and Washington Avenue (the former Prime Avenue).
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In 1831, the Pennsylvania legislature chartered a new company to build a rail line from Philadelphia to the Delaware state line. A survey of routes was begun in July 1835, and the following year, company officials settled a debate over just how and where to cross the Schuylkill: a permanent bridge at
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at Gray's Ferry ordered to be stopt and the Detacht. to return and the bridge to be taken up and carried to Middle Ferry." (He and his men completed this bridge on October 24, only to see it wash away four days later by "the N.E. Stormy High tide and rapid stream and Ebb tide together." A replacement
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The bridge opened on March 9, 1901, releasing the railroad from the obligation to maintain the highway portion of its Newkirk Viaduct, and the PW&B promptly closed the road. Under the deal, the railroad gave back the $ 55,000 it had received for perpetual maintenance under the agreement of 1847,
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In 1834, a Philadelphia guidebook offered this description, "Gray's Ferry — renowned as the junketing place of our forefathers where our grandfathers and grandmothers danced and sung where the scenery has a right pleasant smack of the antique about it and where the floating bridge still swings
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Philadelphia as it is: And Citizens' Advertising Directory Containing a General Description of the City and Environs, List of Officers, Public Institutions, and Other Useful Information : for the Convenience of Citizens, as a Book of Reference, and a Guide to Strangers : with a New Map of
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The bridge was 1,190 feet long, including 1,660 feet of metal superstructure, with a 36-foot-wide roadway and two 10-foot-wide sidewalks. It also held two trolley tracks belonging to the Union Traction Company, "connecting the Spruce and Pine streets division with the Darby lines on Woodland Avenue
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The several acres around the Viaduct's western end had become a hub of railroad activity. The area had had an enginehouse since the Viaduct opened; by 1876, a bigger, eight-stall roundhouse had been erected. By 1877, passenger trains stopped at the Gray's Ferry station, on 49th Street between Grays
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During the Civil War, the PW&B's Philadelphia terminal became the great embarkation and debarkation point for Philadelphia men going to and returning from war in the southern states. On December 23, 1863, a fire — perhaps started by a locomotive's sparks — damaged an eastern span of the bridge,
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Construction on the rest of the 17 miles of track proceeded, and when the bridge opened in 1838, it was the final link in the first direct rail service between Philadelphia and Wilmington. It did not initially allow locomotives to pass, nor were locomotives particularly welcomed on city streets, so
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main line. Built of steel girders, it has four traffic lanes and two pedestrian sidewalks. There are also "painted, unbuffered bike lanes, but high prevailing speeds on the immediately adjacent motor vehicle lanes and significant debris in the bike lanes make the bike lanes uncomfortable for many
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in 1900. "The steep incline at the western end of the old bridge has always been an obstacle to heavily-laden wagons, and at times during the day the crush of teams is actually dangerous." In December 1896, the city of Philadelphia appropriated $ 400,000 to build the new Grays Ferry Bridge (it
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7,500 pounds to rebuild it. The rebuilt bridge featured a deck over planks attached to the logs, with anchors in mid-stream to steady it and railings for safety. Flexible, it rose and fell with the tide. Heavy wagons often depressed the deck a few inches below the water. A 1796 traveler wrote,
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supported by five piers; its fifth span, as counted from the east, could be pulled into its sixth span to allow boats to pass. A single track ran along the bridge's southern side, separated by a fence from a roadway that ran along its northern side. The cost, including construction and land
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In late 2018, PennDOT launched a two-year, $ 13.3 million project to rehab the bridge. The work was designed by Modjeski and Masters of Philadelphia, carried out by Buckley & Company of Philadelphia, and managed by TRC Solutions of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The work includes "extensive
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A new draw span was constructed in 1891, but maintenance remained difficult for the rest of the decade. Moreover, the city of Philadelphia itched for a broader bridge to carry trolley and other street traffic between the rapidly developing neighborhoods of Grays Ferry and Kingsessing.
335:, the main land route to Delaware, Baltimore, and the southern colonies. It remained virtually the only conduit to the city from points south until 1781, when the construction of a federal road connected the ferry environs to Market Street in what would become West Philadelphia. 910: 868: 653:. The PRR, whose passenger trains ran through West Philadelphia, used the Viaduct only to run freight to the Delaware River docks via Washington Street, while the Baltimore & Ohio, which had previously run trains over the bridge, was forced to build 586:
line that completing the first telecommunications link from New York to Washington; operators complained of interruptions whenever the draw was opened. In 1852, the bridge was strengthened to handle more weight, and steam power at last replaced horses.
507:, to Philadelphia and points north, is known to have crossed the floating bridge at Gray's Ferry on at least two occasions. On May 13, 1787, Washington wrote about his arrival in Philadelphia for the convention to revise the 1696:
After the Improvement opened, the PW&B's stations, from the northern terminal at Broad and Washington, were: Arsenal, Gray's Ferry, 58th Street, Mount Moriah, Bonnafon, Paschal, Darby, Sharon Hill, Glenolden, Norwood,
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On August 23, 2018, the bridge's truss and superstructure were demolished. The pilings remained as a foundation for the planned bike-pedestrian bridge. After several delays, the new bridge is slated to open in mid-2025.
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Guide: Containing a Description of the Scenery, Rivers, Towns, Villages, and Objects of Interest Along the Line of Road : Including Historical Sketches, Legends,
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The railroad promptly began construction of a one-track bridge, completed in October 1902. This bridge has a 226-foot-7-inch (69.1 m) swing span pivoting on a cylindrical stone pier at mid-stream, flanked by a
902: 511:: "At Grays Ferry the City light horse commanded by Colo. Miles met me, and escorted me in by the Artillery Officers who stood arranged & saluted me as I passed." On April 20, 1789, when Washington traveled to 323:. It was likely established in 1673 or shortly thereafter by Benjamin Chambers, who was licensed to operate the ferry after Swedish settlers complained that they were blocked from passage on the Middle Ferry. 480:
The pontoon bridge at Gray's Ferry was decorated for the arrival of President-elect George Washington in Philadelphia on April 20, 1789. A rope line indicates the continuing use of a ferryboat alongside the
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of the Pennsylvania militia, who wrote on October 8, "I think they will also throw a bridge of some sort over Grey's Ferry, not only to maintain a communication with but secure a retreat to their shipping."
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But this bridge remained in place only two days, as British commanders decided that the extra fording capacity was better used farther north. Montresor wrote, "22nd — At 3 o' clock p.m., the works for the
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In 1696, the government directed that two roads be laid out from either end of the Lower Ferry, also called Chambers' Ferry: one from the east landing north to Philadelphia, and the other westward toward
2289: 431: 2235: 731: 281: 145: 708:, which completed its work on March 1, 1901, under a $ 145,959.98 contract. The pavement, railings, and "other appurtenances" were completed May 20, by the Alcatraz Paving Company for $ 66,870. 515:, then the national capital, to become the first president of the United States, the bridge was decorated for the latter occasion by the Grays, who enlisted the aid of Philadelphia artist 1999: 677:
By the end of the 19th century, the narrow Newkirk Viaduct was a roadway bottleneck. "Much of the traffic that would naturally cross the river at Gray's Ferry has been diverted to the
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The metal superstructure, plus a timber fender on the eastern side of the west draw channel and a cluster of wooden pilings at the north end of the west draw pier, were built by the
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The advantages of a permanent bridge were clear, but none would be built for several decades. In 1806, a "Gray's Ferry Bridge Company" was chartered, but it bore no fruit.
646:, a shift that drew the tracks away from marshy ground and eliminated several drawbridges from the route. The first train ran over this Darby Improvement route on May 12. 1881: 759:-inch (29.8 m) approach span on either side. A wooden pile fender protects the pivot pier and the opened swing span from collisions with boat traffic on the river. 590:
On November 11, 1854, a passing steamboat damaged the bridge. A temporary platform was quickly erected to carry traffic, and a large work crew set about making repairs.
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and Paschall Streets. Here, northbound express trains from Washington, Baltimore, or Wilmington and heading farther north would be switched from PW&B tracks to the
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properties and left it permanently open. An unknown party purchased the bridge in 1987. For decades, the bridge and the fender pilings sat unused and deteriorating.
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October 17, 1777 — This day principally employed in my department in transporting the materials for the Bridge of Schuylkill at Gray's Ferry together with its boats.
2093: 650: 542: 427:. On December 28, the bridge was pulled up, perhaps to protect it from winter ice, as the Army moved north to cross back into the city at the Middle Ferry bridge. 693:
of Pittsburgh for $ 250,000. The five river piers were excavated to bedrock, as were most of the bridge's abutments and pedestals. The masonry was "rockfaced
2319: 2309: 2294: 423:, who would go on to be the Army's chief of intelligence. On December 22, a large British force moved westward across the bridge and camped three miles from 2175: 1473: 994: 430:
The British rebuilt the bridge at Gray's Ferry in the spring of 1778, and left it intact when they withdrew from the city that June. On August 7, 1778, the
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transferred ownership of the bridge to the City of Philadelphia, which plans a $ 13 million project to replace the truss with a bike-trail structure.
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This 1999 photo looks northwest at the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1. and, behind it, the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge.
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From 1777 and through at least 1839, a series of floating bridges offered passage at Gray's, or Lower, Ferry. 1816 painting by Joshua Rowley Watson
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labeled "The Present State of the East Bank of the Schuylkill at Gray's Ferry Where Our Citizens Met Washington on His Way to His Inauguration."
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History of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and of the Hibernian Society for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland, March 17, 1771-March 17, 1892
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built a highway bridge to replace the 1901 structure. The new bridge was erected between the old road bridge and the PW&B railroad bridge.
253:) has been the formal or informal name of several floating bridges and four permanent ones that have carried highway and rail traffic over the 1988: 2284: 1910: 669: 300:
provided the main connections between Philadelphia and points west and south. Two of them crossed the river in or near the city limits:
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The new bridge was less than a year old when it was severely damaged. On January 26, 1839, historian Daniel Bowen wrote that a "great
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Back at Lower Ferry, a new floating bridge was once again in place by December 10, according to diary entries by British Army officer
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The 1901 Grays Ferry Bridge replaced the non-railroad functions of the Newkirk Viaduct. It carried automotive traffic and streetcars.
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It was still marked as "Lower Ferry" on a 1753 map, but it would soon take the name of its new proprietors, the brothers Robert and
2102: 1842: 1764: 284:, which was demolished in 2018. Its pilings support an under-construction bridge for use by cyclists and pedestrians traveling the 2259: 2049: 943: 636: 362: 2299: 2185: 1873: 331:. The ferry thereby came to connect Philadelphia to the Darby Road (now Woodland Avenue at 47th Street), which was part of the 1182: 30: 924: 1681: 476: 48: 2180: 1956: 1048: 963: 435: 1765:
West Philadelphia Illustrated: Early History of West Philadelphia and Its Environs, Its People, and Its Historical Points
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West Philadelphia Illustrated: Early History of West Philadelphia and Its Environs, Its People, and Its Historical Points
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History of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company: With Plan of Organization, Portraits of Officials and Biographical Sketches
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History of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company with Plan of Organization, Portraits of Officials and Biographical Sketches
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paid the PW&B $ 50,000 to eliminate the tolls. The deal also bound the railroad to rebuild the bridge if necessary.
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and on to the PRR's Philadelphia depot, allowing their passengers to continue their journey without switching trains.
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Annual Message of the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia with the Annual Reports of Directors of Departments, Volume 2
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bridge because of the congested conditions that exist from morning until night at the railroad crossing," wrote the
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and firefighters intentionally destroyed the draw section to protect the western part. The bridge was rebuilt as a
1026: 532: 261:. The bridge today is a four-lane divided highway bridge, built in 1976, that carries Grays Ferry Avenue from the 2154:
labeled "The West Bank of the River, South of Gray's Ferry Bridge, Open Sewers and Filth Having Replaced Beauty."
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labeled "Looking down the River, East Bank, Below Gray's Ferry Where Our Citizens Assembled to Greet Washington."
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Note: this site is a front-end to what the author says is a database built from data obtained annually from the
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of South Philadelphia) and in 1787 became a signatory to Pennsylvania's ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
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20th — At half past 10 this morning the engineers finished the floating Bridge across Schuylkill of 400 feet.
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In 1828, Martin Kochersperger noted that 304 vessels passed through the bridge in the month of March: 37
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ultimately cost about $ 475,000). The appropriation was authorized by ordinance the following April.
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By January 1, 1902, the draw had been opened 2,653 times for the passage of 4,969 ships and boats.
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1899 photo looks southwest at the western end of the Newkirk Viaduct with the draw span retracted.
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PW&B Bridge No. 1, shown here in 2011, replaced the Newkirk Viaduct for rail traffic in 1902.
489:, many delegates eager to escape the hot and humid city crossed the bridge on day trips to visit 266: 95: 1231:
Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation
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floating-log bridge at Middle Ferry was passable by November 10 and completed on November 11.)
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The third, dubbed Lower Ferry, crossed south of the city proper and just south of the mouth of
2096:, relative to a rail road bridge to be constructed over the Schuylkill at Gray's Ferry (1837). 2085: 1407: 1234: 1157: 1123: 1054: 649:
The Viaduct's importance as a rail bridge waned after 1880-81, when the Pennsylvania Railroad
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In 1873, the route south of the bridge was shifted somewhat away from the riverbank as far as
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This map inaccurately shows the PW&B crossing the Schuylkill on the PRR's Arsenal Bridge.
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18th — The utmost preparation making to forward the Bridge at Gray's Ferry across Schuylkill.
342:. George (1725–1800) owned large tracts of land near the ferry's eastern landing (in today's 2202: 2151: 2145: 2139: 2134: 2130: 2126: 2024: 254: 91: 2159: 1640:. Philadelphia: Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road Company. 1839. p. 62. 1426:. Philadelphia: Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road Company. 1840. p. 62. 2106: 2089: 554: 464:, 28 oyster boats, 98 curial boats, 16 fishing boats, seven pleasure boats, and 12 rafts. 2192:", 6 photos, 1 color transparency, 4 data pages, 1 photo caption page 722:
A 1902 U.S. Geologic Survey report called the area "Grays Ferry" without the apostrophe.
557: (1794–1868), a Philadelphia business and civic leader, and erected an obelisk, the 386:
Armstrong was right. The bridge's preparation and construction were described by Captain
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acquisition, came to nearly $ 200,000. The railroad named the bridge for its president,
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The 1,482-foot (452 m) bridge carries Grays Ferry Avenue across the river and the
781: 387: 371: 991:"The Building of West Philadelphia / 18th Century Landscape & Settlement Patterns" 869:
List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Pennsylvania
2253: 2081: 1401: 1205: 1150: 1116: 512: 442: 420: 2195: 1874:"Schuylkill River Swing Bridge Transfer To City Complete | Hidden City Philadelphia" 1423:
Second Annual Report of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road Company
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First Annual Report of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road Company
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By 1889, the Newkirk Viaduct was a four-span, 503-foot bridge, including a 92-foot
549: 258: 109: 105: 569: 1606:"Lower Ferry or Gray's Ferry or Matthew Newkirk's Viaduct, Philadelphia County" 850: 789: 628: 1933:"Along Kingsessing Waterfront, Visions for a Brighter Future Come Into Focus" 63: 50: 1777: 1472:. From a 1948 PRR Board of Directors Inspection of Physical Property. 1948. 583: 2114:
By John Frederick Lewis of the City Parks Association, Philadelphia, 1924.
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Ice smashed the bridge to pieces in 1780, leading the Council to pay Major
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and $ 20,000 for city-funded improvements to the Viaduct over the years.
453: 2189: 1815:. Schuylkill River Development Corporation. p. 174. Archived from 1580: 1016: 839:
recorded average daily traffic volume of around 30,000 motor vehicles.
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passed over the bridge, where mourners gathered to watch its passage.
519:, with laurel arches and the flags of the states and the new country. 1843:"Proposed bike trail would cross Schuylkill, access Bartram's Garden" 1754:. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: City of Philadelphia. pp. 431–434. 694: 2112:"The River As It Was, The River As It Is, The River As It Should Be" 762:
On April 14, 1945, the funeral train carrying the body of President
1652:"New Map of the City of Philadelphia (J.L. Smith, publisher, 1907)" 378:. Its construction was anticipated on the American side by General 2117:
Three 1924 photos from Gray's Ferry Bridge north to the outlet of
1719:. Philadelphia. Philadelphia Record. August 12, 1900. p. 15. 1148:
Russell Frank Weigley; Nicholas B. Wainwright; Edwin Wolf (1982).
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Over the next two years, the railroad built an 800-foot covered
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An 1856 drawing of the 1838 railroad-and-highway Newkirk Viaduct
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1856 drawing of the floating bridges that were replaced in 1838.
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Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad, Bridge No. 1
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Documenting North America's past & present covered bridges
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that was left uncovered. In 1865, the bridge was cited by the
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1936 aerial photo shows Grays Ferry Bridge and PW&B No. 1
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The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 46
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Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
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Reviving Schuylkill: Eight Miles From the Dam to Ft. Mifflin
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
1957:"Aerial Survey of Philadelphia, PA, 1930 (circa) - Plate 9" 543:
The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Guide Book
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proposed to return the bridge to service as a part of the
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In June 1846, the Viaduct was chosen as the route for the
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Vehicle and railroad bridges in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Rail Road Company
1983: 1981: 1810:"Grays Ferry Pedestrian Bridge Conceptual Design Report" 1091:
Publications of the City History Society of Philadelphia
1328:. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Archived from 832:
bicyclists," said a 2012 City of Philadelphia report.
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1928 aerial photo of the bridges and surrounding area
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1925 aerial photo of the bridges and surrounding area
2050:"Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge undergoing reconstruction" 575:
A toll was charged for road traffic until 1847, when
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Historic American Engineering Record in Philadelphia
1778:"Water Resources of the Philadelphia District, p.54" 1364:. Philadelphia: Fitzgibbon & Van Ness. pp.  2181:
1956 drawing of proposed Gray's Ferry Avenue Bridge
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Today's Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge (July 2010 photo)
773:abandoned the bridge shortly after it acquired the 370:The first bridge across the Schuylkill River was a 235: 226: 216: 211: 201: 193: 185: 180: 172: 164: 156: 151: 141: 131: 123: 115: 101: 87: 79: 40: 21: 1996:CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE PLAN 1149: 1115: 615:1876 photo looks northwest at the Newkirk Viaduct. 545:, bought the necessary land on December 31, 1836. 280:In 1902, rail traffic was shifted to the adjacent 896: 894: 205: 1525:"Philaphilia: Empty Lot of the Week-- June 16th" 937: 935: 933: 689:The stonework was completed in December 1898 by 1312: 1310: 1308: 1306: 1304: 1302: 1300: 1298: 962:Revolution, Daughters of the American (1902). 304:Upper, or Sculls, Ferry, near the present-day 1711: 1709: 1707: 1705: 1703: 1458:. City History Society of Philadelphia. 1916. 1122:. W. W. Norton & Company. 1982. pp.  296:Before bridges crossed the Schuylkill, three 8: 1740: 1738: 1581:"Gilman v. Philadelphia, 70 U.S. 713 (1865)" 945:History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Volume 3 1658:. Greater Philadelphia GeoHistory Network. 1395: 1393: 1352: 1350: 2196: 1748:; William C. Haddock; et al. (1902). 1497:"Damage to the Drawbridge at Gray's Ferry" 1017:"A map of Philadelphia and parts adjacent" 468:as it did in the days of the revolution." 18: 1554:"The Fire at Gray's Ferry Bridge.; LATER" 1470:"1948 original railroads in Philadelphia" 1211:. Philadelphia: P.J. Gray. 1834. p.  1110: 1108: 1106: 1104: 957: 955: 874:List of crossings of the Schuylkill River 265:on the east bank, over the river and the 1080: 1078: 1076: 1074: 1072: 1070: 808:Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge (1976-present) 668: 618: 475: 361: 2005:from the original on September 24, 2015 1156:. W. W. Norton & Company. pp.  890: 541:Gray's Ferry. The firm, by now renamed 1662:from the original on September 3, 2012 1184:The Register of Pennsylvania, Volume 1 1015:Heap, George; Scull, Nicholas (1753). 907:The National Bridge Inventory Database 1808:Amman & Whitney (February 2012). 1233:. Random House Digital. p. 304. 7: 2186:Historic American Engineering Record 1998:. City of Philadelphia. April 2012. 1686:. J.B. Lippincott and Company. 1873. 1476:from the original on August 29, 2016 1326:Historic American Engineering Record 2320:Girder bridges in the United States 2310:Former toll bridges in Pennsylvania 2295:1976 establishments in Pennsylvania 1254:Washington, George (May 13, 1787). 2315:Steel bridges in the United States 1841:Hill, Miriam (November 20, 2012). 1723:from the original on April 5, 2022 1616:from the original on March 4, 2022 1266:from the original on March 5, 2016 968:. U.S. Government Printing Office. 913:from the original on March 4, 2016 697:, with coping and bridge seats of 657:one-third of a mile to the south. 14: 2280:Bridges over the Schuylkill River 2088:, of the U.S. Engineer corps, to 1400:Possibly Charles P. Dare (1877). 822:Pennsylvania State Highway Agency 376:British troops occupying the city 1386:. Vol. 1. pp. 296–299. 1317:Spivey, Justin M. (April 2000). 1152:Philadelphia: A 300 Year History 1118:Philadelphia: A 300 Year History 853: 29: 2060:from the original on 2019-03-06 2031:from the original on 2021-01-28 1967:from the original on 2017-12-16 1931:Bagenstose, Kyle (2024-07-24). 1913:from the original on 2019-02-16 1884:from the original on 2017-12-15 1855:from the original on 2016-03-14 1790:from the original on 2016-03-04 1535:from the original on 2017-11-16 1285:Wilson, William Bender (1895). 1029:from the original on 2017-12-16 997:from the original on 2010-06-14 390:, the engineer on the staff of 1484:– via WikiMedia Commons. 1047:Campbell, John H. (May 2006). 925:Federal Highway Administration 561:, along its western approach. 1: 2211: 948:. L. H. Everts & Company. 927:'s National Bridge Inventory. 436:Pennsylvania General Assembly 160:Stringer/multi-beam or girder 2285:Road bridges in Pennsylvania 1442:. Avil Print. Company. 1903. 942:Scharf, John Thomas (1884). 780:In 2012, Philadelphia Mayor 665:Grays Ferry Bridge (1901-76) 651:took control of the PW&B 631:span with a 144-foot cover. 528:Newkirk Viaduct (1838-1902) 311:Middle Ferry, near today's 306:Spring Garden Street Bridge 2341: 2162:: images through the years 1256:"Diary Entry: 13 May 1787" 1087:"Early Schuylkill Bridges" 729: 726:PW&B No. 1 (1902-2018) 2325:Kingsessing, Philadelphia 2275:Bridges completed in 1976 2270:Bridges completed in 1838 2265:Bridges completed in 1777 2230: 2224: 2214: 2209: 2188:(HAER) No. PA-547, " 2092:, esq., president of the 1848:The Philadelphia Inquirer 1357:Dare, Charles P. (1856). 509:Articles of Confederation 487:Constitutional Convention 240: 231: 28: 23:Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge 2220:University Avenue Bridge 1937:Hidden City Philadelphia 1717:"City's Fine New Bridge" 1382:Wilson, William Bender. 1085:Powers, Fred P. (1917). 1053:. Kessinger Publishing. 559:Newkirk Viaduct Monument 344:Grays Ferry neighborhood 269:railroad tracks, to the 263:Grays Ferry neighborhood 136:University Avenue Bridge 2260:Bridges in Philadelphia 1961:www.philageohistory.org 1523:Grojlart (2011-06-16). 1181:Hazard, Samuel (1828). 691:Jutte and Foley Company 206:1901 Grays Ferry Bridge 176:1,482 feet (452 m) 2300:Southwest Philadelphia 1604:Caswell, Bill (2007). 879:The Woodlands Cemetery 817: 786:Schuylkill River Trail 741: 706:Phoenix Bridge Company 674: 624: 616: 605:Gilman v. Philadelphia 537: 505:Mount Vernon, Virginia 482: 408: 367: 359: 286:Schuylkill River Trail 271:Southwest Philadelphia 1903:"Schuylkill Crossing" 1822:on September 22, 2013 1229:Wulf, Andrea (2011). 815: 775:Pennsylvania Railroad 764:Franklin D. Roosevelt 739: 672: 622: 614: 535: 517:Charles Willson Peale 497:a bit farther south. 479: 396: 365: 357: 2160:"Mirror of the City" 1746:Ashbridge, Samuel H. 1656:GeoHistory Resources 1455:Philadelphia History 1335:on September 7, 2012 1262:. National Archive. 903:"GRAYS FERRY AVENUE" 901:Svirsky, Alexander. 392:General William Howe 313:Market Street Bridge 127:State Highway Agency 119:State Highway Agency 1878:hiddencityphila.org 1612:. lostbridges.org. 1562:. December 24, 1863 1505:. November 11, 1854 1136:grays ferry bridge. 1022:Library of Congress 861:Philadelphia portal 683:Philadelphia Record 577:Philadelphia County 491:Gray's Ferry Tavern 380:John Armstrong, Sr. 329:Darby, Pennsylvania 247:Gray's Ferry Bridge 60: /  2305:South Philadelphia 2226:Grays Ferry Bridge 2105:2012-08-16 at the 1683:McBride's Magazine 1559:The New York Times 1502:The New York Times 1291:. Henry T. Coates. 829:Northeast Corridor 818: 742: 675: 625: 617: 600:U.S. Supreme Court 596:Town lattice truss 538: 483: 368: 360: 267:Northeast Corridor 251:Grays Ferry Bridge 186:Construction start 96:Northeast Corridor 83:Grays Ferry Avenue 64:39.9411°N 75.205°W 2247: 2246: 2242: 2241: 2201:Crossings of the 2086:Richard Delafield 2054:West Philly Local 637:Junction Railroad 523:Permanent bridges 501:George Washington 472:Notable crossings 374:built in 1777 by 244: 243: 2332: 2212: 2203:Schuylkill River 2197: 2069: 2068: 2066: 2065: 2046: 2040: 2039: 2037: 2036: 2021: 2015: 2014: 2012: 2010: 2004: 1993: 1985: 1976: 1975: 1973: 1972: 1953: 1947: 1946: 1944: 1943: 1928: 1922: 1921: 1919: 1918: 1907:Schuylkill Banks 1899: 1893: 1892: 1890: 1889: 1870: 1864: 1863: 1861: 1860: 1838: 1832: 1831: 1829: 1827: 1821: 1814: 1805: 1799: 1798: 1796: 1795: 1789: 1782: 1774: 1768: 1762: 1756: 1755: 1742: 1733: 1732: 1730: 1728: 1713: 1698: 1694: 1688: 1687: 1678: 1672: 1671: 1669: 1667: 1648: 1642: 1641: 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2329: 2250: 2249: 2248: 2243: 2238: 2234: 2228: 2222: 2218: 2205: 2107:Wayback Machine 2090:Matthew Newkirk 2078: 2073: 2072: 2063: 2061: 2048: 2047: 2043: 2034: 2032: 2023: 2022: 2018: 2008: 2006: 2002: 1991: 1987: 1986: 1979: 1970: 1968: 1955: 1954: 1950: 1941: 1939: 1930: 1929: 1925: 1916: 1914: 1901: 1900: 1896: 1887: 1885: 1872: 1871: 1867: 1858: 1856: 1840: 1839: 1835: 1825: 1823: 1819: 1812: 1807: 1806: 1802: 1793: 1791: 1787: 1780: 1776: 1775: 1771: 1763: 1759: 1744: 1743: 1736: 1726: 1724: 1715: 1714: 1701: 1695: 1691: 1680: 1679: 1675: 1665: 1663: 1650: 1649: 1645: 1634: 1633: 1629: 1619: 1617: 1603: 1602: 1598: 1589: 1587: 1579: 1578: 1574: 1565: 1563: 1552: 1551: 1547: 1538: 1536: 1522: 1521: 1517: 1508: 1506: 1495: 1494: 1490: 1479: 1477: 1468: 1467: 1463: 1452: 1451: 1447: 1436: 1435: 1431: 1420: 1419: 1415: 1399: 1398: 1391: 1381: 1380: 1376: 1356: 1355: 1348: 1338: 1336: 1332: 1321: 1316: 1315: 1296: 1284: 1283: 1279: 1269: 1267: 1260:Founders Online 1253: 1252: 1248: 1241: 1228: 1227: 1223: 1204: 1203: 1199: 1189: 1187: 1180: 1179: 1175: 1162: 1160: 1147: 1146: 1142: 1129: 1127: 1126:, 168, 232, 644 1114: 1113: 1102: 1084: 1083: 1068: 1061: 1046: 1045: 1041: 1032: 1030: 1014: 1013: 1009: 1000: 998: 989: 988: 984: 977: 973: 961: 960: 953: 941: 940: 931: 916: 914: 900: 899: 892: 887: 859: 854: 852: 849: 810: 755: 751: 748: 746: 734: 728: 667: 555:Matthew Newkirk 530: 525: 474: 352: 294: 222:9,625 (in 2011) 152:Characteristics 68: 66: 62: 59: 54: 51: 49: 47: 46: 36: 24: 17: 12: 11: 5: 2338: 2336: 2328: 2327: 2322: 2317: 2312: 2307: 2302: 2297: 2292: 2287: 2282: 2277: 2272: 2267: 2262: 2252: 2251: 2245: 2244: 2240: 2239: 2229: 2223: 2210: 2207: 2206: 2200: 2194: 2193: 2183: 2178: 2173: 2168: 2163: 2157: 2156: 2155: 2149: 2143: 2137: 2109: 2097: 2077: 2076:External links 2074: 2071: 2070: 2056:. 2019-01-31. 2041: 2016: 1977: 1948: 1923: 1909:. 2016-07-21. 1894: 1865: 1833: 1800: 1769: 1757: 1734: 1699: 1689: 1673: 1643: 1627: 1596: 1572: 1545: 1515: 1488: 1461: 1445: 1429: 1413: 1389: 1374: 1346: 1294: 1277: 1246: 1240:978-0307269904 1239: 1221: 1197: 1173: 1140: 1100: 1066: 1059: 1039: 1007: 982: 971: 951: 929: 889: 888: 886: 883: 882: 881: 876: 871: 865: 864: 848: 845: 809: 806: 782:Michael Nutter 730:Main article: 727: 724: 666: 663: 655:its own bridge 529: 526: 524: 521: 473: 470: 407: 406: 403: 400: 388:John Montresor 372:pontoon bridge 351: 348: 333:King's Highway 317: 316: 309: 293: 290: 242: 241: 238: 237: 233: 232: 229: 228: 224: 223: 220: 214: 213: 209: 208: 203: 199: 198: 195: 191: 190: 187: 183: 182: 178: 177: 174: 170: 169: 166: 162: 161: 158: 154: 153: 149: 148: 143: 139: 138: 133: 129: 128: 125: 121: 120: 117: 113: 112: 103: 99: 98: 89: 85: 84: 81: 77: 76: 44: 38: 37: 34: 26: 25: 22: 15: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 2337: 2326: 2323: 2321: 2318: 2316: 2313: 2311: 2308: 2306: 2303: 2301: 2298: 2296: 2293: 2291: 2288: 2286: 2283: 2281: 2278: 2276: 2273: 2271: 2268: 2266: 2263: 2261: 2258: 2257: 2255: 2237: 2233: 2227: 2221: 2217: 2213: 2208: 2204: 2198: 2191: 2187: 2184: 2182: 2179: 2177: 2174: 2172: 2169: 2167: 2164: 2161: 2158: 2153: 2150: 2147: 2144: 2141: 2138: 2136: 2132: 2128: 2124: 2123:The Woodlands 2120: 2116: 2115: 2113: 2110: 2108: 2104: 2101: 2098: 2095: 2091: 2087: 2083: 2080: 2079: 2075: 2059: 2055: 2051: 2045: 2042: 2030: 2026: 2020: 2017: 2001: 1997: 1990: 1984: 1982: 1978: 1966: 1962: 1958: 1952: 1949: 1938: 1934: 1927: 1924: 1912: 1908: 1904: 1898: 1895: 1883: 1879: 1875: 1869: 1866: 1854: 1850: 1849: 1844: 1837: 1834: 1818: 1811: 1804: 1801: 1786: 1779: 1773: 1770: 1766: 1761: 1758: 1753: 1752: 1747: 1741: 1739: 1735: 1727:September 25, 1722: 1718: 1712: 1710: 1708: 1706: 1704: 1700: 1693: 1690: 1685: 1684: 1677: 1674: 1661: 1657: 1653: 1647: 1644: 1639: 1638: 1631: 1628: 1615: 1611: 1607: 1600: 1597: 1586: 1582: 1576: 1573: 1561: 1560: 1555: 1549: 1546: 1534: 1530: 1526: 1519: 1516: 1504: 1503: 1498: 1492: 1489: 1475: 1471: 1465: 1462: 1457: 1456: 1449: 1446: 1441: 1440: 1433: 1430: 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Retrieved 2053: 2044: 2033:. Retrieved 2025:"Overview -" 2019: 2009:September 3, 2007:. Retrieved 1995: 1969:. Retrieved 1960: 1951: 1940:. Retrieved 1936: 1926: 1915:. Retrieved 1906: 1897: 1886:. Retrieved 1877: 1868: 1857:. Retrieved 1846: 1836: 1826:November 23, 1824:. Retrieved 1817:the original 1803: 1792:. Retrieved 1772: 1760: 1750: 1725:. Retrieved 1692: 1682: 1676: 1664:. Retrieved 1655: 1646: 1636: 1630: 1620:November 23, 1618:. Retrieved 1609: 1599: 1588:. Retrieved 1584: 1575: 1564:. Retrieved 1557: 1548: 1537:. Retrieved 1528: 1518: 1507:. Retrieved 1500: 1491: 1480:November 24, 1478:. Retrieved 1464: 1454: 1448: 1438: 1432: 1422: 1416: 1402: 1383: 1377: 1369: 1359: 1337:. Retrieved 1330:the original 1325: 1287: 1280: 1270:September 3, 1268:. Retrieved 1259: 1249: 1230: 1224: 1216: 1206: 1200: 1188:. Retrieved 1183: 1176: 1168: 1163:September 9, 1161:. Retrieved 1151: 1143: 1135: 1130:November 20, 1128:. Retrieved 1117: 1094: 1090: 1049: 1042: 1031:. 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In 2017, 570:ice freshet 340:George Gray 275:Kingsessing 142:Followed by 132:Preceded by 67: / 42:Coordinates 2254:Categories 2232:Downstream 2152:1924 photo 2146:1924 photo 2140:1924 photo 2119:Mill Creek 2064:2019-03-06 2035:2020-08-25 1971:2017-12-16 1942:2024-09-19 1917:2019-03-06 1888:2017-12-15 1859:2012-11-21 1794:2012-11-23 1590:2017-11-15 1585:Justia Law 1566:2019-04-30 1539:2017-11-15 1509:2019-04-30 1097:: 267–316. 1033:2017-06-07 1001:2009-06-06 885:References 790:bike trail 701:granite." 629:Howe truss 421:John André 321:Mill Creek 236:References 212:Statistics 55:75°12′18″W 52:39°56′28″N 2084:of Capt. 835:In 2007, 769:In 1976, 584:telegraph 454:schooners 2216:Upstream 2103:Archived 2058:Archived 2029:Archived 2000:Archived 1965:Archived 1911:Archived 1882:Archived 1853:Archived 1785:Archived 1721:Archived 1660:Archived 1614:Archived 1533:Archived 1474:Archived 1264:Archived 1208:the City 1169:obelisk. 1027:Archived 995:Archived 911:Archived 847:See also 745:97-foot- 462:shallops 227:Location 202:Replaces 165:Material 2135:Photo 3 2131:Photo 2 2127:Photo 1 837:PennDOT 794:Conrail 771:Conrail 754:⁄ 644:Chester 481:bridge. 298:ferries 181:History 88:Crosses 80:Carries 2082:Letter 1767:(1903) 1370:grays. 1361:&c 1237:  1057:  965:Report 695:ashlar 458:sloops 456:, 106 194:Opened 157:Design 102:Locale 2003:(PDF) 1992:(PDF) 1820:(PDF) 1813:(PDF) 1788:(PDF) 1781:(PDF) 1333:(PDF) 1322:(PDF) 425:Darby 292:Ferry 116:Owner 2121:and 2011:2015 1828:2012 1729:2013 1697:etc. 1668:2012 1622:2012 1482:2012 1341:2014 1272:2015 1235:ISBN 1192:2012 1165:2014 1132:2012 1055:ISBN 919:2012 796:and 788:, a 460:and 197:1976 189:1976 1408:140 1366:142 1158:232 1124:162 798:CSX 602:in 493:or 277:. 257:in 2256:: 2133:, 2129:, 2125:: 2052:. 2027:. 1994:. 1980:^ 1963:. 1959:. 1935:. 1905:. 1880:. 1876:. 1851:. 1845:. 1783:. 1737:^ 1702:^ 1654:. 1608:. 1583:. 1556:. 1531:. 1527:. 1499:. 1392:^ 1368:. 1349:^ 1324:. 1297:^ 1258:. 1215:. 1213:18 1167:. 1134:. 1103:^ 1093:. 1089:. 1069:^ 1025:. 1019:. 993:. 954:^ 932:^ 909:. 905:. 893:^ 394:: 288:. 108:, 94:, 2067:. 2038:. 2013:. 1974:. 1945:. 1920:. 1891:. 1862:. 1830:. 1797:. 1731:. 1670:. 1624:. 1593:. 1569:. 1542:. 1512:. 1410:. 1343:. 1274:. 1243:. 1194:. 1095:1 1063:. 1036:. 1004:. 921:. 756:8 752:3 749:+ 747:9 315:. 308:.

Index


Coordinates
39°56′28″N 75°12′18″W / 39.9411°N 75.205°W / 39.9411; -75.205
Schuylkill River
Northeast Corridor
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
University Avenue Bridge
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
1901 Grays Ferry Bridge
Daily traffic
Schuylkill River
Philadelphia
Grays Ferry neighborhood
Northeast Corridor
Southwest Philadelphia
Kingsessing
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Bridge No. 1
Schuylkill River Trail
ferries
Spring Garden Street Bridge
Market Street Bridge
Mill Creek
Darby, Pennsylvania
King's Highway
George Gray
Grays Ferry neighborhood


pontoon bridge

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